**Teenager Dies After Falling From Building Featured in Netflix’s Stranger Things**
*December 22, 2025 | Published 6:20 p.m. ET*
A 19-year-old teenager tragically died after falling from a building used as a filming location for the Netflix hit series *Stranger Things*, RadarOnline.com reports.
Leah Palmirotto and her friends reportedly sneaked onto the abandoned Briarcliff Building on the campus of Emory University in Georgia. The building had been featured on the supernatural show as the fictional “Hawkins National Laboratory.”
### Fatal Accident on Rooftop
According to reports, Leah was part of a group that climbed over a chain-link fence surrounding the property. The group made their way to the roof of the five-story structure shortly before 1 a.m. last Friday. It was there that Leah fell and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Briarcliff Building, a former psychiatric hospital built in the 1960s, is fenced off and slated for demolition to make way for a senior living facility. Although closed to the public, the building is well-known as a filming location and has appeared in other productions such as *The Vampire Diaries*.
### A Father’s Heartfelt Warning
As investigators continue to determine the cause of the fall, Leah’s father, Todd Palmirotto Jr., issued a warning to others about the dangers of trespassing.
“Going to these places is dangerous, being with people that you really don’t know. We always had something in the back of our mind that something could happen,” he told Fox 5 in Atlanta.
He also expressed hope that Leah’s final moments were peaceful. “I’m just hoping it was instant. I just hope she felt no pain.”
### Community Rallies with GoFundMe Support
In the wake of the tragedy, a family friend, Tom Cavanaugh, set up a GoFundMe campaign to assist with Leah’s funeral and memorial expenses as well as to support the family during this difficult time.
He wrote on the fundraiser page:
> “As much as it pains me to write this, our dear friends lost their beloved daughter, Leah Madyson Palmirotto, early the morning of December 19, 2025, in a tragic accident.
> Just doing stuff that normal 19-year-old kids do ended up in pure devastation.
> I am writing this fundraiser to ask for your help for her funeral/memorial costs, as well as helping the family get through this difficult time.”
The campaign has raised over $2,000 in just a few days.
### Remembering Leah Palmirotto
Leah had a passion for cars and photography. She loved exploring and photographing abandoned buildings, and she frequently attended car shows to admire and photograph the vehicles.
Originally from Florida, Leah was vibrant and full of life. She loved the beach and the outdoors and was known for her friendly nature, easily getting along with everyone at school.
Her family describes themselves as “heartbroken” by the loss. Leah is survived by her father Todd, mother Katie, and brothers Devan and Lucca.
*Stranger Things* has been filmed across multiple locations throughout Georgia, drawing fans to various iconic sites including the now-famous Briarcliff Building.
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*If you or someone you know is struggling with grief or mental health, please seek support from professionals or trusted individuals.*
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