Emerson film student dies after fall from rooftop

BOSTON -- The Emerson campus was in mourning Sunday after a 21-year-old fell from a roof in the South End and died.

A worker finished up repairs at 610 Columbus Ave where a 21-year-old Emerson students fell from the rooftop while working on a school project.

"They were walking on the roof and didn’t realize they were on the edge of the roof and slipped,” said Kaillie Nagrath.

Justin Amorratanasuchad was with a friend when he took that deadly step. On Tuesday, Inspectional Services examined the work done earlier while officials focus on how exactly he got up there in the first place.

"Inspectional Services Department will make that determination later this week as they do an investigation as to the access of the roof," said Mayor Thomas Menino.

Preliminary findings showed the locks on the door to the roof had been pried off, and because roof decks aren't permitted, guardrails aren't required. The property owners say a locksmith was there in September.

But at Emerson where grief counselors are offering help to those who need it, locks are the last thing on anybody’s mind.

"There's nothing anyone can do that's gonna make it better. As a teacher you especially want your students to be safe," said Fredericka King, Emerson professor.

The junior came to Boston from Seattle, where his family is coping with the loss everyone here is feeling.

“I want people to remember him and to appreciate the people that you have because you never know. It’s a tough loss,” said Jesse Amorratanasuchad, brother.

As friends show up to grieve together, he is remembered as a young man who died doing what he loved most - making films.

"I wouldn't necessarily call him a risk taker. With film you do what needs to be done and it was probably some little thing that just had come undone, had fallen off a roof and he had to fix something and it happened,” said Rebecca Knell, friend of victim.

Amorratanasuchad had just celebrated his 21st birthday.

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