Figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya died after falling from sixth-floor window, coach says

Figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya died after falling from sixth-floor window, coach says

Olympic figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya died after falling from a sixth-floor window in Moscow, her coach Andrei Khekalo confirmed to AFP.

Russian news agencies Interfax and TASS also reported that Alexandrovskaya’s death appeared to be a suicide, according to police sources, CBS News reported.

Khekalo added to AFP that Alexandrovskaya, 20, had recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and was suffering from depression.

The International Skating Federation had already confirmed Alexandrovskaya’s death on Friday.

“The ISU is shocked by the news of Ekaterina’s death,” President Jan Dijkema said in a statement on the ISU website. “She was a talented pair skater and the figure skating community will miss her. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and teammates and mourn this tragic loss.”

Alexandrovskaya was born in Russia and became an Australian citizen in 2016. She competed for Australia at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics alongside her figure skating partner Harley Windsor, finishing 18th. The pair won the World Junior title the year before.

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Alexandrovskaya retired from the sport in February. She and Windsor also announced the end of their partnership.

“Words cannot describe how I feel right now. I am devastated and deeply sickened by the sad and sudden passing of Katia,” 23-year-old Windsor wrote on Instagram after the news of her death, posting a photo of her skating partners.

“What we achieved during our partnership is something I will never forget and will always hold dear to my heart,” he added. “You can never prepare for this news. Rest in peace, Katia.”

On Monday, Windsor asked his fans for help in their farewell with a beautiful tribute and shared a link to a GoFundMe page for his partner in his Instagram bio.

“Hi everyone, the Australian figure skating community has created a GoFundMe page,” he wrote in a note on his Instagram story. “For Katia’s funeral, we would like to flood the ceremony with flowers in remembrance. Please, any help is appreciated.”

Jamie Squire/Getty Images Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya and Harley Windsor

RELATED: Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya’s partner asks fans for donations to ‘flood’ her funeral with flowers

According to the GoFundMe campaign, Alexandrovskaya’s family and friends in her native Russia will hold a memorial service for her in Moscow.

“The aim of this fundraiser is to provide flowers for Katya’s funeral to remind her family and friends of the love and joy she brought to everyone in Australia and around the world,” the fundraising page states. “$3,000 of the $10,000 goal will go towards floral arrangements, with the remainder of the funds raised to assist Katya’s family with funeral costs.”

Ian Chesterman, the Australian team’s chef de mission at the Pyeongchang Winter Games, told the Associated Press that Alexandrovskaya was “incredibly determined” and said she had struggled since the end of the Olympics.

“It is incredibly sad to lose Katia, who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete,” Chesterman said. “She was quiet and humble in her manner but incredibly determined to be the best she could be. Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another reminder of how fragile life is.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

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