Stranger Things Season 5: What Happened to Leah Palmirotto? Death Controversy Explained

Leah Palmirotto is a 19-year-old girl who fell to her death while exploring an abandoned building featured in Stranger Things. The building, known to fans as Hawkins National Laboratory, is located on Emory University’s Briarcliff campus in Decatur, Georgia.

Palmirotto was with a group of friends when the fall occurred in the early hours of December 19, 2025. Here’s what happened, what authorities are saying, and how Leah’s family is coping with the devastating loss.

What Happened At the Stranger Things Filming Site? The Backstory Leah Palmirotto | Credit: GoFundMe

According to Fox5Atlanta, Leah Palmirotto, along with several friends, ventured into the abandoned building on the Emory University campus.