A 19-year-old woman has died after falling from a vacant high-rise building in the United States that was famously used as a filming location for the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.
Tragic Incident at Iconic Site
Leah Palmirotto, aged 19, lost her life in the early hours of Friday, 20 December 2025. The incident occurred at the Briarcliff Building A, an abandoned structure on an Emory University property in DeKalb County, Georgia. Police reports indicate she was exploring the five-storey building with a group of friends when the fatal fall happened.
The site holds significant pop culture recognition. It served as the fictional Hawkins National Laboratory in Stranger Things, where secret experiments on paranormal phenomena opened a gateway to the 'Upside Down', triggering the show's supernatural events.
Investigation and Site Security
Authorities believe the group accessed the premises, which was formerly the Georgia Mental Health Institute, by climbing over a chain-link fence. Following the tragedy, Emory University police have taken charge of the investigation.
The university confirmed in a statement that the site, which is one of over 40 Emory properties listed for film rentals, has seen increased security measures. No-trespassing signs are now prominently displayed. Notably, the building's rental listing was removed on the Friday of the incident.
Future of the Location
The building has a slated future that does not involve film crews or urban explorers. It is scheduled for demolition to make way for a new senior housing complex. This tragic event has cast a sombre shadow over a location known to fans worldwide, highlighting the severe dangers of entering derelict and unstable structures.
Police continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.
