WASHINGTON (AFP) -- An employee of the U.S. State Department committed suicide on Friday by leaping to his death at its Foggy Bottom headquarters, officials said.

"An individual jumped to his death at the State Department today," said Amanda Batt, a State Department spokeswoman. "The individual has been identified as a State Department employee.

"Pending the notification of his family we're not releasing his identity," she added.

A State Department official who requested anonymity said the man apparently committed suicide between 05:00 P.M. and 05:30 P.M. The official said it was unclear where he jumped from but his body was found in a ditch near a side entrance to the building.

Police were conducting an investigation into the incident.