A 19-year-old woman, Leah Palmirotto, died early Friday morning after falling from an abandoned high-rise building owned by Emory University in DeKalb County, Georgia, a structure widely recognized for its role as Hawkins National Laboratory in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things. Authorities say the incident occurred around 1 a.m. at Briarcliff Building A, a five-story facility that has been vacant for years and is currently undergoing demolition preparations.
The death has prompted renewed scrutiny of abandoned properties that have gained public attention through popular culture and filmmaking, as well as questions surrounding access, security, and safety at sites slated for redevelopment.
Police and fire officials responded to reports of a fall at the building, located at 1200 Briarcliff Road, where Palmirotto was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say she was exploring the property with friends at the time of the incident, though officials have not released details about how many people were present or the exact circumstances that led to her fall. Emory University police have since taken over the investigation.
The Incident at Briarcliff Building A
According to law enforcement officials, Palmirotto and others likely gained access to Briarcliff Building A by climbing over a chain-link fence surrounding the property. The structure, built in the 1960s, has long stood vacant and has attracted urban explorers, photographers, and curiosity-seekers despite posted no-trespassing signs. Early reports described the victim only as a “young woman,” but authorities later confirmed her identity as Leah Palmirotto. Her hometown has not been publicly disclosed.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the fall was reported, but Palmirotto could not be saved. Officials have not indicated whether alcohol, structural instability, or environmental factors played a role, and they emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. One parent told local station WSB-TV that her son, who is part of a group that explores abandoned places, contacted her during the incident and said he was “in trouble,” highlighting the risks associated with unauthorized entry into deteriorating properties.
Briarcliff Building A is part of a larger former hospital complex that once housed the Georgia Mental Health Institute. After the state closed the facility, Emory University acquired the property in the 1990s. Over time, several of the buildings fell into disuse, with Building A becoming one of the most recognizable due to its later use in film and television productions. Despite its high profile, officials say the structure was never intended for public access once it was vacated.
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Emory University has stated that the property has been posted with no-trespassing signs and that security measures are being increased following the incident. The university confirmed that it vacated the building in 2024 and that demolition activity began earlier this year. A private developer is slated to construct a senior living community on the site once demolition is complete.
From Mental Health Institute to Pop Culture Landmark
Before it became known to a global audience through Stranger Things, Briarcliff Building A served a very different purpose. The structure was originally part of the Georgia Mental Health Institute, a state-run psychiatric hospital that opened in the mid-20th century. For decades, it provided inpatient mental health services before the facility was ultimately closed as policies and approaches to psychiatric care shifted.
When Emory University acquired the property in the 1990s, the campus used portions of the complex for administrative and research purposes. Over time, however, Building A was vacated and fell into disrepair. Its imposing architecture, long corridors, and institutional design eventually caught the attention of film scouts seeking distinctive locations.
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The building achieved international recognition when it was used as Hawkins National Laboratory in Stranger Things, the fictional government facility at the center of the show’s supernatural storyline. In the series, Hawkins Lab is depicted as the site of secret experiments that open a gateway to the Upside Down, setting off the chain of events that drive the show’s plot. The eerie atmosphere of the real-world structure contributed significantly to the show’s visual tone, making it one of the most memorable filming locations in the series.
Stranger Things is far from the only production to use the Briarcliff Building. The site has appeared in numerous television shows and films shot in Georgia, including Ozark, Black Lightning, Sweet Magnolias, and WandaVision. Movies have also utilized the location, drawn by its versatility and distinctive, somewhat ominous aesthetic. For years, Emory listed the building among more than 40 university-owned properties available for film rentals, although that listing was removed on Friday following news of Palmirotto’s death.
Georgia has become a major hub for film and television production, with Atlanta and surrounding communities frequently standing in for fictional towns and distant locations. Cities such as Jackson were transformed into downtown Hawkins for Stranger Things, while East Point provided residential settings, including the Wheeler and Sinclair family homes. This widespread filming activity has elevated many otherwise obscure locations into destinations of interest for fans and explorers alike.
Safety, Trespassing, and the Risks of Abandoned Sites
The death of Leah Palmirotto has reignited concerns about the dangers posed by abandoned buildings, particularly those that gain notoriety through popular media. Urban exploration, sometimes referred to as “urbex,” has grown in popularity through social media platforms where images and videos of deserted structures can attract large audiences. While enthusiasts often view exploration as a way to document history or architecture, authorities warn that such activities carry significant risks.
Vacant buildings may have unstable floors, missing railings, exposed shafts, or weakened structural elements, especially when demolition is planned or already underway. In many cases, lighting is poor or nonexistent, and safety features such as guardrails and barriers may be damaged or removed. Falls, collapses, and other serious accidents are well-documented hazards at such sites.
Property owners, including universities and municipalities, face challenges in securing large, unused complexes, particularly those that attract attention due to their size or cultural significance. Emory University has stated that it is increasing security at the Briarcliff site and reiterated that the property is closed to the public. The university announced plans in 2022 to demolish the building to make way for a senior housing development, and demolition reportedly began in June, though reports indicate that explorers were still accessing the site as recently as October.
Law enforcement officials stress that trespassing laws exist not only to protect property but also to prevent injuries and fatalities. While the investigation into Palmirotto’s death continues, authorities have not suggested criminal charges in connection with the incident. Instead, the focus remains on determining the precise circumstances of the fall and whether any additional safety measures could have prevented the tragedy.
As the entertainment industry continues to transform real-world locations into fictional landmarks, incidents like this highlight the unintended consequences of fame for abandoned or restricted sites. Buildings once known only to local communities can suddenly draw global attention, increasing foot traffic and curiosity even when access is prohibited. The challenge for property owners and local officials lies in balancing preservation, redevelopment, and public safety.
Leah Palmirotto’s death underscores the very real dangers associated with entering abandoned structures, regardless of their cultural or cinematic significance. As Emory University moves forward with demolition and redevelopment plans for the Briarcliff property, the incident serves as a stark reminder that locations immortalized on screen can pose serious risks in reality, particularly when they are no longer maintained or intended for public use.