Man dies after falling from roof near University of Delaware

Police in Newark say a 20-year-old Massachusetts man died after he slipped and fell off the roof of a West Main Street residence.

Willen H. Golden, 20, of Cohasset, Mass. fell off the rooftop of a residence near the University of Delaware in Newark before 4 p.m. Saturday. Police say he was a guest at the Main St. home, which is occupied by fraternity members of Sigma Pi.

After investigating the incident, the Newark Police Department said Monday the rooftop was wet as a result of light rain. Police say Golden was by himself, and no foul play is suspected.

The Newark Police Department, New Castle County Paramedics and the Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder Company responded to the incident and found Golden unresponsive. He was transported to the Christiana Hospital Emergency Room, where he later died. 

Golden was a freshman at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, where he played hockey for the college, according to a statement released by its president Philip A. Glotzbach.

Police have not said if alcohol played a role in the accident. Several St. Patrick’s Day related parties took place in businesses and residences across the University of Delaware campus over the weekend. Police say 22 additional officers were on duty for the weekend festivities and they made 58 criminal arrests and dispersed 16 parties.

The residence from which Golden fell was rented by fraternity members of Sigma Pi, but was not a fraternity house or university-owned building, according to University of Delaware spokesperson Andrea Boyle.

Newark police continue to investigate the incident, and ask anyone with additional information to contact Detective Michael Watson at 302-366-7100 ext. 3132 or Michael.Watson@cj.state.de.us.