“The void he leaves behind is indescribable. BU professor killed in fall on rusty staircase near Dorchester T stop

David Procopio, a state police spokesperson, said in a statement Monday morning that soldiers were alerted at 1:30 p.m. Saturday of “David’s unsupervised death.” K. Jones, 40, of Milton, across from JFK MBTA station at 599 Old Colony Ave. in Boston.

Jones’ body, Procopio said, “had been observed under a staircase shortly before by a passer-by, who called the police. The investigation revealed that Mr Jones was lying on the ground under a staircase that connects Old Colony Road to the Columbia Road Viaduct.

Procopio said detectives “observed a space on the stairs above the victim, who had already been determined to be dead. The preliminary investigation revealed that the stairs had been deemed unsafe and had been closed for about 20 months.

It was not immediately clear how Jones got to the stairwell.

A spokesperson for MBTA said on Monday that the staircase in question is not on the T property, so state police are investigating.

The AT source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Monday that the staircase in question, maintained by the State Department of Conservation and Recreation, had been fenced in the area.

Requests for further comment were sent to DCR and Governor Charlie Baker’s office Monday morning.

Procopio said Monday it was uncertain whether signs warning pedestrians not to use the stairs were present on Saturday afternoon at the time of the crash. However, he wrote, “there was a wire mesh blocking the lower entrance to the stairs and a jersey barrier blocking the upper entrance.”

There were several signs at the top and bottom of the stairs on Monday informing people that the stairwell was closed, as well as a cement block acting as a barrier at the upper entrance. Entrances were also blocked with fencing and wiring.

A gaping hole in the middle of the heavily rusted staircase was visible on Monday morning, with a number of fallen steps strewn across the floor below. It was not known when the rusty steps of the stairs fell to the ground.

Galea said in a statement on Sunday that Jones is passionate about his work.

“He cared deeply about making the connection between research and policy, and carried out work in places as far away as France and the Mississippi Delta,” said Galea. “Most importantly, David was a wonderful human being, living with integrity and deeply committed to everything we do. I enjoyed all of my interactions with David so much, I can’t really imagine what it means not to have David in our community.

Galea said the school will hold a Monday afternoon rally for faculty and staff in the Founder’s Room and via Zoom to pay tribute to Jones.

“We will also be reserving space for students in the classes Professor Jones taught this week during his regular class time on Tuesday,” said Galea, adding that Ira Lazic, associate dean for administration and finance, “will also be shortly with resources available to faculty, staff and students. Resources will be made available throughout the coming week, and we plan to follow up in the coming days with details for a memorial in order to best celebrate his life and his spirit. “

In the meantime, Galea continued, “Our hearts are with David’s family and all of his loved ones. May we all live with intention and grace in honor of David’s memory.

Jones’ widow Sarah Sacuto provided details in a social media post on Sunday about her husband. Sacuto said Jones went for a run on Saturday and “never made it” home.

“He accidentally entered a staircase near the rusty JFK UMass Boston subway station,” Sacuto wrote. “He fell 20 feet from a height and probably died instantly. The void he leaves behind is indescribable.

She said details of the funeral would be forthcoming.

“She was the most loving, kindest and most caring person I know,” Sacuto wrote. “He was the best father. He liked to dance on Phish, be outside and run. He loved unconditionally and was the proudest father of his children. I liked it.”

Sacuto said her husband’s death would likely be the hardest thing for his family to endure.

“Please take a minute and remember him, for we must continue to carry the light he has given us,” she wrote. “We will draw strength from your memories as we travel through the darkest times. “

A GoFundMe online fundraiser for the family of Jones, who is survived by his wife and three children, had raised more than $ 54,000 by late Monday morning.

“David was loved beyond words,” said the fundraising appeal. “This Go Fund Me page was created to raise funds to support David’s wife, Sarah, and her three children, Olivia, Anne and Thomas.”

This is a landmark story that will be updated as more information becomes available.

Travis Andersen can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @TAGlobe. John R. Ellement can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @JREbosglobe. Andrew Brinker can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @andrewnbrinker. Taylor Dolven can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @taydolven.