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Too soon: Pratt Institute student Mareena Jacob aparently took her own life on Oct. 15 when she jumped from the ninth-floor balcony of her dorm on the Clinton Hill campus.
By Matthew Perlman
The Brooklyn Paper
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Mourning: Tragedy struck the Pratt Institute campus on Oct. 15 when a 20-year-old killed herself.
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A Pratt Institute student jumped to her death from a dorm balcony last Wednesday, according to police.

A friend of Mareena Jacob told the authorities she saw the 20-year-old student leap from the ninth-floor balcony of her room at 6 pm. Officers arrived at the Clinton Hill campus, on Willoughby Street between Hall Street and Classon Avenue, shortly afterward, police said. Emergency personnel rushed her to Brooklyn Hospital Center where she was pronounced dead, the authorities reported.

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Jacob grew up in a suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area and was a senior majoring in graphic design, a childhood friend said.

“She’s been a fierce and loyal friend, talented, brilliant designer, a hero among friends, someone who cared more about others than herself,” said Julia Park.

Park said she had known Jacob since middle school and last saw her in California in August before the school year started. Park “thought [Jacob] was fine,” she said. The two had planned to go out for a drink when Jacob turned 21 in November, Park said.

“I still can’t believe she’s gone,” she said.

Police are investigating the death as a suicide, officials said.

Other friends of Jacob’s mourned her on Facebook.

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“There aren’t a lot of people that genuinely care about others like you did. Not many people can turn someone’s day around just by being themselves,” wrote Jessica Nicole Norris in a post accompanying a photo of her with Jacob. “You were sweet, special, and truly unforgetta­ble.”

Another friend, Iris Miao, also posted a photo of her with Jacob, accompanied by this caption:

“I want to go back to this moment and I want to stop time to tell you everything.”

The art school sent its condolences.

“The Pratt community’s thoughts are with Mareena Jacob’s family and friends during this difficult time,” a spokeswoman said.

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide, do not leave the person alone; remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273–8255; and take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.

Updated 3:46 pm, October 22, 2014: Information and quotes added from Julia Park.
Reach reporter Matthew Perlman at (718) 260–8310. E-mail him at mperlman@cnglocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewjperlman.

©2014 Community News Group

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Reader Feedback

Talk4thecause from Astoria says:
I don't know if she suffered from depression, but if the suicide of Robin Williams taught us anything, it's that suicide is not a selfish act, it's a desperate act to escape emotional pain, whether a situaluational pain or one formed by mental illness. I myself suffer from depression and when it hits it is impossible to see beyond the pain-it's not about thinking or logic. If she had depression, she either may not have known it or may not have wanted to talk about it due to the social stigma of mental illness. Depression now affects 1 in 10 people so we need to be open, talk and listen. In any case, the loss of such a brilliant, sweet soul is tragic. I see my own students trying to cope with the anxiety, loneliness, etc. of college life and it just breaks my heart-I may not be a counselor but I'm glad they talk to me about how they're feeling and I always try to get them into counseling. RIP, sweet Mareena.
Oct. 17, 2014, 1:26 am
rose from newyork says:
She was brilliant,caring ,loving and passionate .She had the most beautiful smile. Never expected this coming.Depression and mental illness runs in families. May be she herself did not know she is depressed. She definitely did not show it. Grateful for having known her and cherish the memories
Oct. 17, 2014, 1:08 pm
Nagy from Bk says:
There is an acute shortage of graphic designers, I know, I work in the field. The reason why you see so much bad design is because there are not enough graphic designers and so the work is done by untrained people.
Oct. 17, 2014, 10:20 pm
Love Mareena from Dublin says says:
Most of the comments are assumptions.Not even sure if it was a suicide.Let the detectives and investigators do their job.Please have respect for a young girl who passed away and her grieving family
Oct. 18, 2014, 11:41 am
old time brookly from slope says:
agreed love - this is a tragedy regardless of the circumstances
Oct. 18, 2014, 1:03 pm
Bheemsen Aitha from Dublin says:
I know the Mareena family for the last few years. Such a lovely family, I never imagined that something like this would happen in their lives. I pray god to give enough strength to Jacob family to withstand the sad news. Love Mareena. RIP Mareena.
Oct. 18, 2014, 2:39 pm
Rose from Newyork from Newyork says:
Suicide is not confirmed.Mareena was petite, only about 90 lbs .She was not obese.She loved her life.Brilliant student in Dean's pride list. She had plans to celebrate her 21st birthday next month.
Oct. 18, 2014, 8:53 pm
Michael from Huntington says:
Mareena, we pray you're at peace in the light.
Oct. 21, 2014, 7:33 am
Haley Guilfoile from Pleasanton says:
I only just saw the news on facebook as it is Mareena's birthday today. Mareena, you were so talented and beautiful and you were one of the nicest people I ever met at Amador. It breaks my heart to hear this news.

I got to know your little brother working at Young Ivy and met your mother a few times, and to the entire Jacobs family, I send my deepest and sincerest condolences. You all are such a genuinely kind family. Sending all my love and prayers to you
Nov. 22, 2014, 2:31 pm

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