Couple arrested after scaling Empire State Building for engagement stunt

New York police arrested a couple who climbed the Empire State Building’s spire on Wednesday and proposed at the 104th floor. The pair, identified as 32-year-old Ivan Kuznetsov and 33-year-old Angelina Nikolau, were arraigned Thursday on charges that include reckless endangerment, burglary and criminal mischief. They were released on supervised release pending a next hearing on Aug. 24.

According to the criminal complaint, the suspects broke a lock on a 104th-floor security door, accessed the broadcasting antenna more than 1,300 feet above ground, and are believed to have entered the building the night before, hiding overnight. Security footage captured them emerging through a hatch on the 102nd floor at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit scaled the spire to bring the climbers down. During the ascent the couple unfurled a banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace," and Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau.

"Even the Empire State Building's own people said that there was no risk or danger to any of the tenants, to any of the guests on the observation deck, or anyone in the building," said attorney Jason Krinsky.

"As for what I would call the harrowing body-camera video that we released last night, recorded by the officers responding to that stunt, it really can take your breath away," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

The couple, who are known for scaling tall structures and were featured in the 2024 documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story," told detectives the stunt was meant to be a special engagement gesture. Their lawyer argued the district attorney had overcharged the case. The Empire State Building issued a statement emphasizing that no danger was posed to tenants or visitors during the incident.