Gao Shudong, vice head of the Anhui Institute of Socialism, was found dead after falling from a building in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province, ThePaper.cn reported Monday morning.

He fell from his 15th floor apartment at around 8 am Sunday.

Emergency care personnel declared Gao dead on arrival, while local police later ruled out the possibility of murder following preliminary investigations.

Gao, 53, made his last public appearance one month ago during a conference of the institute, which is under the direct leadership of the province's Party committee.

He was last seen in his office last week, according to colleagues.

The official was appointed the vice head of the institute in 2003.

Gao is the fifth provincial or municipal official living in Hefei to die in such an incident within the past year, according to reports.