Teen Dies After Fall at Abandoned Stranger Things Building

A 19-year-old woman died after falling from the roof of a five-storey abandoned building in Atlanta, Georgia, a site once used for filming Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, authorities confirmed.

The tragic incident occurred shortly before 1 am on December 19 at Emory University’s Briarcliff campus. The building, known as Building A, was formerly part of the Georgia Mental Health Institute and has also appeared in the television series The Vampire Diaries. Despite its pop culture fame, officials say the structure has long been unsafe and closed to the public.

Police identified the victim as Leah Palmirotto. Investigators said she entered the restricted property with a group of friends after allegedly climbing over a chain-link fence surrounding the site. The area was fenced off, closed to public access, and clearly marked with multiple “No Trespassing” warning signs.

According to police reports, Leah and her friends were inside the abandoned building out of curiosity. Authorities believe she may have slipped in the darkness, lost her footing, or stepped onto a weakened section of the deteriorating structure, leading to the fatal fall.

Built in the 1960s, the building was acquired by Emory University in the 1990s. Although demolition was planned in 2022 to make way for a senior living facility, the structure remains standing and unused. Officials have repeatedly described it as hazardous due to unstable floors, poor lighting, hidden drop-offs, and significant structural decay.

In recent years, the abandoned site attracted attention from fans after it was featured as Hawkins National Laboratory in Stranger Things. Its eerie and run-down appearance made it a popular backdrop for filming but also increased the risk of trespassing.

Leah’s father, Todd Palmirotto Jr., described his daughter as adventurous, outgoing, and full of life. Sharing his grief, he said he hopes her death was instant and urged others to avoid abandoned or restricted properties, warning of the serious dangers involved.

Emory University police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Leah Palmirotto’s death.