Leung's death 2nd suicide since June
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Leung's death marks the second time an undergraduate has committed suicide in less than a year. Rising junior Lauren R. Thompson died last June after falling from the roof of the Northway Apartments, and her death was determined a suicide by the state medical examiner's office.
Baltimore City Police received a call from Leung's sister at 2:40 a.m. Dec. 29 requesting they check on his well-being, said police spokesperson Troy Harris. When officers arrived, they were unable to gain access to Leung's apartment and preceded to the backyard of the building, where they found him lying face down in a garden area.
Leung jumped from his apartment at 2:42 a.m. and was pronounced dead at 4:05 a.m., police said. His sister said that she had not spoken with him since three days before the incident.
Police found a suicide note from Leung that discussed a recent break-up with his girlfriend and failed courses at Hopkins, as well as another note indicating that items in the apartment should be left to his sister.
At the time of his death, Leung had only recently returned from a visit with his sister in New York, said Dean of Student Life Susan Boswell. His sister is currently in Hong Kong and was unavailable for comment.
The Hong Kong Student Association (HKSA) held a memorial service Monday night in the Interfaith Center to remember Leung, who was known by his friends as Andy. Close friends and representatives of the University were in attendance.
The service was organized by the HKSA, in which Leung had been a long-time member and former vice president.
University Chaplain Sharon Kugler, who helped plan the memorial service, said that it was "a time of sharing stories about Andy."
"I find it to be completely heartbreaking to witness this with people's loved ones and friends," said Kugler. "We can be there for people and to walk people through challenging times. It's okay to ask for help."
Junior Grace Pang remembered Leung as a good friend who was always willing to help others.
"He was a very friendly person," she said. "He placed his friends before himself."
He also loved to cook, she added.
"He was a very good cook, mainly Chinese food, and he would invite friends over," Pang said.
Leung transferred to Hopkins three years ago, according to Boswell, and was majoring in computer science.
"I think he wanted to be a teacher of computer science," said Pang.
Boswell said that students overwhelmed with stress or depression should take advantage of the counseling resources on campus.
Kugler also urged anyone who needs emotional support after Leung's death to come to her to talk.
"There are resources around to help [students who are feeling stressed]," said Kugler. "When a person takes their life, we are all left with questions."