19-Year-Old Falls to Her Death at Abandoned Building Featured in Stranger Things
Share and Follow

A 19-year-old has tragically lost her life after falling from a deserted Atlanta structure known for its appearance as Hawkins Lab in the Netflix series Stranger Things.

According to the DeKalb County Police, officers were dispatched around 12:49 a.m. on December 19 following reports of a fall at a property situated on the 1200 block of Briarcliff Road, as reported by Oxygen.

The victim, identified as Leah Palmirotto, was among a group exploring the empty, five-story building, authorities informed local news outlets like FOX5 Atlanta and WSB-TV.

A GoFundMe page set up for Palmirotto confirmed her passing, describing it as a “tragic accident” that occurred early in the morning of December 19.

A family friend expressed on the GoFundMe campaign, “What started as typical activities for a 19-year-old ended in heartbreaking devastation.”

The friend added that Palmirotto had an affinity for photography and “loved exploring and photographing abandoned buildings.”

Investigators believe Palmirotto and her group entered the fenced-off property by climbing over a chain-link fence, according to FOX5 Atlanta.

Palmirotto’s father said he believes his daughter visited the property prior to the night of her death.

“Going to these places are dangerous,” he told FOX5 Atlanta, adding that he was “blown away” when police informed him of her death.

The Emory Police Department is handling the investigation into Palmirotto’s death, and Oxygen has reached out to the department and the university for comment.

Emory University said that they’re “enhancing security” at the fenced-off site, which was in the process of being demolished to make room for a senior living community.

“There are signs on the property advising people not to enter,”  the school told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “and warning them not to trespass.”

Emory’s Briarcliff Building A––the site of Palmirotto’s fall––was known to fans of Stranger Things as the filming location for Hawkins National Laboratory, a key setting in the sci-fi series. It was once home to the Georgia Mental Health Institute before being purchased by Emory in the 1990s.

The building had previously been listed on the university’s website as a filming location, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution first noted.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Brave Mother Fights Off Sexual Assault with Knife in Head, Safely Rescues Her Two Children

In a harrowing incident on Thursday, authorities in Georgia apprehended a man…

Police: Woman Punishes Child with ‘Attitude Adjuster’ Paddle, Leaves Him Outside for Messy Room

Inset: Courtney Crites (West Virginia Division of Corrections). Background: The area in…

Senator Mark Kelly Takes Legal Action Against Trump and Hegseth for ‘Traitor’ Label Over Remarks on Refusing Illegal Orders

Left: President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Jan. 3,…

Man Allegedly Threatens Magistrate Following Hammer Assault on Daycare Worker, Police Report

Inset: Mauricio Barboza (Harris County Jail). Background: Barboza allegedly threatens a magistrate…

Barry Morphew Pleads Not Guilty in High-Profile Murder Case; October Trial Date Announced

On Monday afternoon, Barry Morphew entered a plea of not guilty to…

Tragic Poolside Dispute Turns Deadly: Fatal Shooting Over $10 Pass on Scorching 90-Degree Day

Inset: Alvin Waugh (Vernon Police Dept.). Background: The Motel 6 where Waugh…

Tragic Florida Incident: Son Fatally Attacks Mother with Brick, Shares Disturbing Content on Social Media

Left inset: Devin Joel (Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Kacy Joel…

Ohio Boy Found Safe After Enduring a Week Alone Following Alleged Abuse

A missing 12-year-old boy from Oklahoma, who disappeared from a hotel in…