Alex Urtula killed himself after allegedly suffering ‘demeaning’ physical and psychological abuse from his girlfriend, Inyoung You. (Picture: Urtula family via Suffolk DA’s Office/ Facebook)

A college student killed himself hours before graduation after suffering months of ‘powerful…demeaning’ abuse from his girlfriend, prosecutors said.

Alexander Urtula, 22, jumped to his death from the top of the Renaissance Parking Garage in Boston, Massachusetts on May 20 – just 90 minutes before his graduation ceremony at Boston College.

District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced on Monday that Urtula’s girlfriend, 21-year-old Inyoung Yu, has been charged with manslaughter for physically, verbally and psychologically abusing Urtula, which investigators say led to his death.

Authorities searched Urtula’s cellphone after his death and determined that he had a ‘tumultuous relationship’ with You that lasted more than 18 months, Rollins said.




Towards the end of their relationship, ‘the abuse became more frequent, more powerful and more demeaning in the days and hours leading up to Mr Urtula’s death,’ Rollins continued.

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You had reportedly been tracking Urtula’s cellphone on the day he died. She even went to the garage and was present when Urtula died, Rollins said.

‘The abuse was witnessed by family and classmates of both parties and documented extensively in text messages between Ms You and Mr Urtula, and in Mr. Urtula’s journal entries,’ the prosecutor said.

‘In the two months prior to his death, the couple exchanged more than 75,000 texts of which Ms You sent more than 47,000 text messages.’

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‘Many of the messages clearly demonstrate the power dynamic in the relationship, wherein Ms You made demands and threats with the understanding that she had complete and total control over Mr Urtula mentally and emotionally,’ Rollings continued.

Investigators said that You used manipulative attempts and threats of self-harm to control Urtula. She also was reportedly aware of Urtula’s worsening depression.

You, a South Korean national, is currently in South Korea, according to the prosecutor.

She is not the first woman to be charged in connection with the suicide of a boyfriend in Massachusetts. Michelle Carter, 22, is currently serving a 15-month jail sentence after she ordered her then-17-year-old boyfriend back into a carbon-monoxide filled truck after in 2014.

Conrad died of inhalation and his case inspired a bill, dubbed ‘Conrad’s Law,’ which would establishes a penalty of up to five years in prison for someone who coerces or encourages another’s suicide.

For 24/7 confidential emotional support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 in the US. For the UK contact Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see http://www.samaritans.org for details.