Love on the Ledge: Daredevil Couple Arrested After Empire State Building Climb and Proposal

NEW YORK

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, social media stars Angela Nikolau, age 33, and Ivan Beerkus, age 32, climbed to the top of the Empire State Building without permission, which has opened a municipal criminal court case against the couple. The couple, who are from Russia, are known for their extreme climbing skills. They were even the topic of a 2024 Netflix documentary called Skywalkers: A Love Story. During their climb, they unfurled a large black banner that read, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Then, Beerkus got down on one knee and proposed. (Meko, 2026)

The climb happened in the middle of the day, and news helicopters flew around them to capture the scene. People on the streets below stopped and stared as the couple balanced on a narrow ledge with no safety measures in place. But what looked like a romantic moment was actually against the law. According to a criminal complaint, the couple had broken into the building the night before and forced open a security door on the 104th floor. (Meko, 2026)

The damage they caused wasn’t huge, repairing the broken security door will cost about $2,000. But the couple could still face serious time in prison. (Meko, 2026)

Arresting them wasn’t easy. Police officers had to wait 30 minutes for the broadcast antenna to be turned off before they could climb up to get the couple. The antenna gives off strong radio signals that can harm the human body, according to the court complaint. (Meko, 2026)

By the afternoon, police had arrested . The next day, they appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court. They face several charges, including burglary and reckless endangerment. Prosecutors said the couple put themselves and others at risk. They also said the couple’s actions were “extreme risk-taking behavior” that could have hurt first responders. (Meko, 2026)

In court, prosecutors said Beerkus told police he wanted to “do something special for his engagement.” The couple’s lawyer, Jason Krinsky, said the charges were too harsh. He argued that his clients only put themselves in danger, not anyone else. He also pointed out that a platform below the antenna would have caught them if they had fallen. “This was a message of love, not a message of hatred or violence,” Krinsky said. (Meko, 2026)

After their court hearing, the couple was released and told to come back in August. Outside the courthouse, they were still wearing the same black clothes from their climb. Beerkus confirmed they were engaged, but said the ring was now in police custody. As reporters followed them to the subway, the couple stopped on the steps and shared a long kiss under the cameras. (Meko, 2026)

For their social media fans, it was exciting news. But for New York City officials, it was a dangerous and illegal act that could have ended much worse.