A 19-year-old girl died after falling from the roof of an abandoned building in Atlanta, in the Estados Unidos, in the early hours of December 19. The building, located on the Briarcliff campus of Universidade Emory, in the neighborhood of Druid Hills, served as the location for Laboratório Nacional of Hawkins in the series ‘Stranger The victim and his friends accessed the site, which is fenced off and in the process of being demolished, despite signs warning that entry is prohibited.
Police from DeKalb’s Condado and Universidade Emory responded to the emergency call around 1:30 a.m. local time. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene after the fall. Autoridades are investigating the circumstances, but there are no signs of criminal activity at this time. The property has been owned by Emory since the 1990s and has been used in several productions, including ‘The Vampire Diaries’, ‘Ozark’ and ‘WandaVision’.
The university confirmed that the building has been empty since 2024 and that security at the site has been tightened following the incident. Placas warning signs against trespassing are installed in the fenced area.
Circumstances of access to the building
The group climbed a fence to enter the property, which remains cordoned off during the demolition process. The building, built in the 1960s as a mental health institute, presents structural risks due to prolonged abandonment.
Investigators are analyzing whether the fall occurred due to slipping, loss of balance or floor failure. The police emphasize the danger of exploring abandoned sites without authorization.
Impact of the series on the popularity of the location
‘Stranger The final episodes came out on December 25th and 31st.
The production filmed extensively in and around Atlanta, transforming real locations into points of interest for fans. The building in question represents the fictional laboratory where paranormal experiments take place in the plot.
Tourism inspired by ‘Hawkins’ in the real Indiana
The popularity of the series boosted tourist experiences in Indiana, a state that inspires the fictional Hawkins. Visitantes can stay in themed accommodations, such as suites at Graduate by Hilton, at Bloomington, with replicas of Byers’s room,
Other attractions include WonderLab Museum, with interactive science exhibits; Hartzell’s Ice Cream ice cream shop, inspired by Scoops Ahoy; and game stores like The Game Preserve. Southern Indiana Visitor Center offers a free digital passport with themed scenarios and products from the series.
Safety and prevention measures
Universidade Emory reinforces surveillance on the Briarcliff campus to prevent further invasions. Autoridades locals warn about the dangers of exploring abandoned properties, highlighting risks such as falls, structural collapses and exposure to hazardous materials.
The incident reinforces the need to respect prohibition signs and ongoing demolition processes. The investigation continues to clarify all the details.
