Chicago police have launched a death investigation after a 23-year-old woman fell several floors inside a downtown Chicago hotel and died.
Police say a preliminary investigation shows that the woman was attempting to slide down a stair rail during a Halloween party when she lost her balance and fell four stories to her death.
The Cook County medical examiner's office identified the woman as Megan E. Duskey of Crete. Chicago police say the incident happened at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel Saturday night.
The medical examiner says she died instantly of head trauma, according to the Chicago Tribune.
"(The cousin) just said, 'She's gone.' She knew she was gone," friend Ellie Pessetto told the paper.
Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman Monique Bond says Duskey was an elementary school teacher.
Family members say Duskey was a 2009 graduate of Northern Illinois University and are remembering her as a caring woman ready to make a difference.
Police say alcohol didn't appear to be a factor.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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