What Happened to Leah Palmirotto? Details of the Stranger Things Filming Tragedy

Leah Palmirotto, 19, tragically lost her life after falling from an abandoned building in Decatur, Georgia, a location used in Netflix’s Stranger Things. The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of December 19, 2025, during what began as a late-night exploration with friends.

The building, part of Emory University’s Briarcliff campus, has been vacant for years and is clearly marked with no-trespassing signs. According to authorities, Leah and her friends ignored these warnings before the tragic fall at approximately 1:30 a.m. Responding officers pronounced her dead at the scene. Investigators continue to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the accident and whether any foul play was involved.

Leah’s father, Todd Palmirotto Jr., spoke about the devastating loss, saying, “She was perfect. I was blown away. I just wasn’t sure.” He added, “We just kind of always had something in the back of our mind that something could happen. I’m just hoping it [the fall] was instant. I just hope she felt no pain.” Todd also noted that Leah may have been with people she did not know well.

A GoFundMe campaign organized by family friend Tom Cavanaugh has raised over $5,000 to assist with funeral and memorial costs. An informal memorial was held on December 30, 2025, at Kennesaw Park to honor her memory.

The building where the accident occurred is known to fans as Hawkins National Laboratory, a central location in the Stranger Things series. In reality, it is Building A of the former Georgia Mental Health Institute. Other prominent filming sites for Season 5 include Jackson, Stone Mountain, Brooks Farm, Oglethorpe University, and the historic Claremont House in Rome, Georgia. The final season is set to premiere worldwide on Netflix on December 31, 2025.