Love Above the City, Law Below: Couple Charged After NYC Rooftop Stunt
A marriage proposal 1,454 feet above New York City sounds impossibly romantic - until the handcuffs come out.
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, two of the world's most followed urban climbers, turned the Empire State Building into the backdrop of an audacious overnight infiltration, a peace banner, and a rooftop proposal.
What followed was a string of criminal charges and a courtroom appearance that has sparked a global conversation about spectacle, safety, and the law.
Who Are Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus?
Nikolau and Beerkus, also known as Ivan Kuznetsov, are Russian nationals residing in East Orange, New Jersey.
Nikolau commands around 1.8 million Instagram followers while Beerkus has over half a million. The pair gained mainstream recognition through the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
How Did They Get Inside the Empire State Building?
Investigators believe the couple entered the building the night before and hid there overnight. Security cameras caught them moving through a hatch on the 102nd floor at 5 a.m.
A lock on a 104th-floor security door had been broken, granting access to the broadcasting antenna approximately 1,250 feet above ground.
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What Happened at the Top?
The pair unfurled a banner reading "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
Beerkus proposed to Nikolau on the way down, as the Emergency Service Unit brought them safely to ground, with at least two officers harnessing in to meet the pair inside the spire structure.
What Charges Do They Face?
Nikolau and Beerkus were formally charged with reckless endangerment, burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct, and possession of burglar's tools. They pleaded not guilty and received supervised release until August 24.
Was Anyone in Danger?
The Empire State Building's owners stated there was no danger to tenants or visitors. However, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted that officers reportedly risked their lives retrieving the pair from the spire, as per The Guardian.
Was This Romance or a Rehearsed Act?
According to ABC News, Nikolau's father claimed the couple were already married and that the stunt was a planned performance, adding an unexpected dimension to what was presented as a spontaneous proposal.
What Happens Next for the Pair?
Their lawyer has argued the district attorney's office overcharged the case, as per ABC News. With a court date set for August 24, the outcome could set a precedent for how authorities handle high-profile rooftopping stunts going forward.
(With inputs from yMedia)