A man proposed to his girlfriend on the spire of the Empire State Building

A story that began as a romantic marriage proposal atop one of the world’s most famous skyscrapers turned into a high-profile criminal case. U.S. authorities have filed eight charges against well-known roofer Ivan Birkus and his companion after the pair illegally climbed to the spire of the Empire State Building in New York.

Investigators believe this was not a spontaneous adventure, but a carefully planned operation that required preparation, specialized equipment and several hours of covert movement inside the building.

They hid in the skyscraper until closing

According to investigators, the couple had purchased regular tickets to the Empire State Building observation deck in advance. However, after the building closed for the day, they did not leave with the other visitors.

Investigators say the roofers hid inside the skyscraper for several hours, waiting for staff to finish work. They then entered restricted technical areas intended exclusively for employees.

To continue, they had to overcome several security barriers and enter the service section of the tower, where the route to the famous spire begins.

Climbing to a height of nearly 450 meters

The most dangerous part of the route began there.

According to the prosecution, the roofers used special tools to break through protective structures and reached the top of the 443-meter skyscraper. Footage later posted online shows them standing literally a few centimeters from a multi-meter drop, without any safety gear.

At the top, they unfurled a black banner with a pacifist message, after which the man proposed to his companion. The girl said yes, and the whole moment was filmed on several cameras at once for publication on social media.

The arrest was carried out with the involvement of a special unit

After information emerged about people on the spire, the New York Police Department and emergency services joined the operation.

The pair’s movements were tracked using drones and a police helicopter. When the roofers began to descend, they were met by officers from a special unit that handles high-rise rescue and assault operations.

Both were detained without resistance.

Why there are eight charges right away

The New York prosecutor’s office filed eight charges against the suspects. Among them are trespassing, burglary, possession of burglary tools, property damage, creating a threat to public safety, and a number of other violations.

According to investigators, the case is being treated with such seriousness because the Empire State Building is one of the most visited skyscrapers in the United States, welcoming thousands of tourists every day. Any unauthorized entry into technical areas can pose a danger not only to the intruders themselves, but also to the building’s staff.

The couple’s lawyer said the charges appear excessively harsh. According to him, the stunt was purely symbolic, and its purpose was a romantic proposal and drawing attention to pacifist ideas, not causing harm.

This is not their first extreme climb

Ivan Birkus and his companion have long been known to fans of extreme roofing.

Over the past few years, they have climbed dozens of skyscrapers, towers and construction cranes in different countries, publishing dizzying photos and videos shot without safety equipment at great heights.

Their story became so well known that in 2024 a documentary film about the pair, Skywalkers: A Love Story, was released, focusing both on love and on the dangerous passion for high-altitude climbs.

The skyscraper owners issued a statement

After the incident, the Empire State Building owners condemned the roofers’ actions and reminded the public that thousands of marriage proposals take place every year on the official observation deck — safely, legally and without risk to life.

Building management also said it would work with police to inspect the security system to determine how the intruders managed to access the closed technical areas of one of the most heavily guarded skyscrapers in the world.

The investigation continues. If the court finds the defendants guilty on the most serious counts, they could face significant punishment, and the story has already become one of the most talked-about roofing news items in recent years.