Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Missing Columbia Dental School Student Reportedly Attempted Suicide Before Disappearance
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 9, 2014
Modified Apr 9, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 9, 2014
Modified Apr 9, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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.
Tagged
columbia
columbia university
Jiwon Lee
missing persons
Upper West Side
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .