Couple Faces Charges After Climbing Empire State Building
A couple known for performing extreme urban climbs is facing multiple criminal charges after scaling the top of New York City’s Empire State Building in a dangerous stunt that ended with an arrest and a marriage proposal high above Manhattan.
Authorities say Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, climbed onto the building’s restricted spire Wednesday afternoon after allegedly gaining unauthorized access to maintenance areas above the public observation deck. The pair unfurled a large banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” before Kuznetsov appeared to propose to Nikolau while standing hundreds of feet above the city.
The climb drew immediate attention from tourists, emergency responders, and police. Members of the New York Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit responded to the scene and arrested the couple after they safely descended from the antenna structure.
Prosecutors have charged the pair with several offenses, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, criminal tampering, possession of burglar’s tools, disorderly conduct, and local law violations. They were arraigned in Manhattan criminal court and later released under court supervision as the case moves forward.
Officials said the stunt created a dangerous situation that put not only the climbers at risk but also emergency personnel who were prepared to conduct a complex high-altitude rescue if necessary. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Investigators are continuing to examine how the couple accessed one of the most secure sections of the landmark. The Empire State Building’s spire is off limits to visitors, and authorities have not said whether additional security measures will be introduced following the breach.
Nikolau and Kuznetsov have built international followings on social media by documenting unauthorized climbs of skyscrapers, cranes, and other towering structures around the world. Their relationship and high-risk adventures were featured in the 2024 documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which chronicled the dangers and motivations behind their increasingly daring exploits.
While videos and photos of the Empire State Building climb quickly spread across social media, law enforcement officials stressed that such stunts are illegal and can have life-threatening consequences. They warned that unauthorized climbs not only endanger those participating but can also place first responders and bystanders at unnecessary risk.
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors pursue the criminal case against the couple.
