Full Breakdown
Empire State Building Climb Turns Viral Proposal into Criminal Case
8/25/2026, 8:04:59 AM
Empire State Building Climb and Engagement
The pair descended the antenna shortly after the proposal and were taken into custody a little after 1 p.m. that day.
Prior Stunts and Media Profile
Kuznetsov and Nikolau, who live in East Orange, New Jersey, have built an online following for scaling skyscrapers worldwide, including Malaysia’s Merdeka 118. Their exploits were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary *Skywalkers: A Love Story*, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Legal Charges and Alleged Actions
Prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint charging the duo with reckless endangerment, burglary, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and violation of local law. The complaint alleges that the pair entered the building the night before the climb, broke a lock on a 104th-floor security door, and used a hatch on the 102nd floor around 5 a.m. to reach the broadcasting antenna.
The height of the structure they accessed is reported differently: some sources describe the antenna as rising 1,454 feet (443 meters) above Midtown Manhattan, while others note that the climb reached “more than 1,300 feet.” Both figures are cited in the coverage of the incident.
Official Statements & Responses
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Jessica Waldman indicated that the prosecutor’s office is engaged in “active plea discussions” with the couple and warned that conviction on the current charges could carry a sentence of up to seven years.
Defense attorney Jason Krinsky has argued that the case is overcharged, contending that the stunt did not place building occupants or visitors at risk and should be treated as an artistic expression rather than a public safety threat.
They appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court hand-in-hand, wore black leather jackets and jeans, and shared a brief kiss outside the courthouse.
Data & Statistics
- Antenna height: reported as 1,454 feet (443 meters) or “more than 1,300 feet.”
- Charges: nine felony counts (including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief) plus several misdemeanor counts.
- Estimated property damage: $2,000 for the broken lock and related repairs to the broadcast antenna.
- Court appearances: first appearance on August 24; next scheduled hearing on September 29.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact height reached during the climb, with figures of 1,454 feet and “more than 1,300 feet” both appearing in coverage. No definitive measurement has been confirmed by building officials in the available reports.
What’s Next
The couple has been ordered to return to Manhattan Criminal Court on September 29 for a further hearing. Prosecutors have signaled that plea negotiations are ongoing, but no agreement has been disclosed. The outcome of the September hearing will determine whether the charges proceed to trial or are resolved through a plea arrangement.
