Graduate’s mother ID’d as person who plunged to death from stands at Ohio State University commencement

The commencement ceremony proceeded without interruption despite the tragedy

Officials announced Tuesday that the woman who fell to her death from the stands during the Ohio State University commencement ceremony was Larissa Brady, 53, a parent of one of the graduates, and her death was likely a suicide, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office reported.

Brady, a resident of Georgia, was identified through her fingerprints after the tragic incident at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sunday, where she fell 136 feet.

Larissa Brady plunged the 136 feet from the Ohio Stadium's Bell Tower at the start of the graduation ceremony.

While authorities are still investigating, they believe the fall was intentional, although no foul play is suspected, according to university spokesperson Ben Johnson: “Ohio State is grieving the death of Larissa Brady, a family member of one of our graduates. Our hearts go out to her family and friends during this exceptionally difficult time.”

The ceremony proceeded despite the shocking event, with students, including Brady’s daughter, participating in the graduation rites. Witnesses to the incident were visibly shaken, but the commencement speakers did not reference the tragedy, and it’s unclear if Brady’s daughter was aware of her mother’s death until after the ceremony concluded.

Officials said foul play was not suspected, but that Brady's death was "not accidental."

Following the ceremony, as new graduates walked past the cordoned-off area, counseling services were offered by OSU to anyone needing support, with Johnson urging those struggling with suicidal thoughts to contact crisis hotlines.