JPMorgan Employee Falls to Death From Building Roof in Hong Kong

A JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) employee fell to his death from the roof of Chater House, the investment bank’s Asia-Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong.

“A sad and tragic incident occurred in Chater House, Hong Kong, which is currently being investigated by the police,” JPMorgan said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. The bank declined to comment further “out of respect for those involved. Our thoughts and sympathy are with the family that’s involved at this difficult point of time.”

A Hong Kong police official, who asked not to be identified in line with the agency’s policy, said the person was certified dead at the hospital. The man was a junior employee in a supporting function who didn’t work as a trader or investment banker, said a JPMorgan employee who asked not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to release the information until the man’s family overseas are contacted.

“A Chinese male in his thirties” was found in front of the building at about 1:55 p.m. yesterday, Lee Kwok Wing, senior manager for security and support services of building owner Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd., said at the scene. The building at 8 Connaught Road Central is 30 stories high, according to Hongkong Land’s website. JPMorgan occupies the top 10 floors.

Other building tenants include Franklin Templeton Investment Funds, Mizuho Securities Asia Ltd., Pictet Asset Management (HK) Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management Co.

Last month, a 39-year-old vice president in technology operations died after falling from JPMorgan’s London headquarters.  Bloomberg