Charleston student falls, dies after stargazing

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say it appears a 23-year-old College of Charleston student was climbing down from a roof after stargazing when he fell three stories to his death.

Police said officers found a beer can and a stepladder near Spencer Pitts when they arrived at the home in downtown Charleston around 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

A resident of the house said she was on the roof with Pitts and he either lost his footing or the stepladder slipped as they used it to climb to a balcony below.

College officials say Pitts was a senior economics major from Greenwich, Conn.

The Charleston County Coroner’s Office is waiting for toxicology results before releasing a cause of death. Charleston police say the death appears accidental and don’t expect to file any charges.