The search for a Columbia University dental school student, who has been missing since last week, continues this week. Jiwon Lee, 29, was last seen in her apartment on West 98th Street at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. Police sources tell the Daily News that Lee had attempted suicide a few days before her disappearance, and left notes at her apartment saying she was "sorry she did not live up to expectations," and that she "could not live anymore."
The News adds that she suffers from depression and bi-polar disorder. An anonymous police source had told the Daily Mail over the weekend that Lee had attempted suicide by pills and left notes ("She wrote them all a letter that it was not their fault, she gave up on life.") but police initially officially denied those reports.
Lee's friend, Christiana Simon, told us that Lee last spoke with her brother, a Columbia med school student, and another caller, whose number was unknown to her friends. Simon says that number has since been disconnected, and that Lee's phone has been off since Wednesday morning. Her phone was last tracked to Washington Heights.
Lee served as the president of the American Student Dental Association, and worked for AmeriCorps, teaching math to middle school students in New York City. She also is a comedian: "Prior to basically hanging up her comedy spurs to focus on higher education and a solid career, Jiwon was a familiar face on the comedy scene for years," wrote Klaus Kinski at Brooklyn Vegan. "There was a time when I saw her name appear on so many upcoming comedy calendars it was ridiculous."
Lee's brother, Matt, has set up a GoFundMe page to hire a private investigator to continue the search:
The NYPD has been amazing, but understandably have many responsibilities to attend to. We would like to pursue hiring a private detective at this time in order to expedite and prioritize the search process. Any funds not used for the private detective will be used as a reward for information leading to her finding. We thank you for any contribution you may be able to make.
Lee is described as being 5'2" and weighing 120 pounds. Anyone with any information about her whereabouts should contact Crimestoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or submitting a tip via their website, or by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential. You can also directly call lead investigator Det. Alexander Cruz at 212-678-1863.
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; and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
