San Francisco

Assault of Female Employee in San Francisco Marriott Penthouse Linked to Suicide Victim

The serious assault of a maid at San Francisco's Marriott Marquis has been linked to the suicide of a New York City man who jumped from the hotel roof to his death the same day, according to police.

San Francisco police Officer Grace Gatpandan said hotel employees called police to report the maid missing at the end of her shift around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Employees searched the hotel before police arrived and found the victim in the penthouse suite with life-threatening injuries, according to Gatpandan. The housekeeper was taken to San Francisco General Hospital's intensive care unit.

Earlier Sunday, around 10:40 a.m., a New York City man jumped to his death from the roof of the hotel near Mission and Fourth streets. Police said evidence in the penthouse linked him to the assault of the maid.

The San Francisco medical examiner's office identified him as 26-year-old Alexander Damhuis, who had lived in the Bronx and Brooklyn.

Don Abrahams with the Cardiovascular Research Foundation identified Damhuis as the foundation's coordinator of continuing medical education. The foundation is holding its annual convention at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center this week.

"The Cardiovascular Research Foundation was shocked and saddened by the unexpected death of Alex Damhuis our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with everyone else impacted by this tragedy," foundation president and CEO John C. Lewin, M.D., said in a statement Wednesday. "Because there is an ongoing investigation into this matter and out of respect for the privacy of his family we are not going to provide further comment at this time."

The motive for the attack is unclear. Police said investigators are combing through surveillance video in hopes of piecing together what happened and why.

It's unclear if the maid was sexually assaulted, but Gatpandan said the San Francisco Police Department's Special Victims Unit, which handles sexual assault and domestic violence case, is investigating.

Anand Singh, president of union that represents local housekeepers, said the union is conducting an investigation of its own.

Ari Mason contributed to this report.

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