Teenager dies after falling in abandoned high-rise tower in New Orleans
Jacque St Ann, 17, and his friends broke into Plaza Tower and he fell as they were descending an interior staircase A high school student recently fell to his death after entering an abandoned high-rise tower in downtown New Orleans with his friends – in an apparent case of urban exploration highlighting the dangers of unaddressed city blight. New Orleans police said Jacque St Ann, 17, and his…
Seventeen-year-old Jacque St Ann tragically died after falling from an abandoned high-rise tower in New Orleans. The teenager and his friends, from nearby Belle Chasse, entered the 45-story Plaza Tower in the city's central business district and attempted to descend an interior staircase. Jacque fell to his death sometime after midnight on August 15, with the exact floor from which he fell remaining undisclosed due to respect for his family.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by local paramedics, and the cause of death was reported as blunt force injuries due to the height of the fall. Another group member suffered a deep laceration to an arm and wrist and was hospitalized.
New Orleans police have warned the public against "urban exploring" - the act of entering unsecured, abandoned structures. Deputy Police Superintendent Nicholas Gernon emphasized that Plaza Tower was dark, deteriorating, and unsafe, especially during nighttime explorations. Michael Harrison, a deputy mayor, expressed sympathy for Jacque and his friends, while acknowledging the possibility of trespassing charges after a grieving period.
The building, which has been left to decay since before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, is owned by Alexandria Land & Development LLC, the estate of former land magnate Joe Jaeger. The city of New Orleans has been attempting to secure the property and explore redevelopment plans, which could cost between $25m and $28m, but progress has been slow due to financing issues.
The administration of Mayor Helena Moreno pledged to continue taking steps to ensure the safety and security of the building, as well as supporting redevelopment efforts that would return Plaza Tower to commercial use, essential for the site's long-term safety and vibrancy.
Jacque's friends and family have expressed their trauma over the tragedy, and urban explorers who engage in the hobby of photographing and exploring abandoned buildings have urged caution and discouraged young people from entering such structures, citing the inherent physical dangers. The owner of Plaza Tower has a legal responsibility to secure the building, and while potential charges may be considered, this decision will be made in due course.
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