A woman died Tuesday in an “apparent suicide” outside Disney World’s Contemporary Resort in Florida, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
“We can confirm that this was an apparent suicide,” said a spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Variety in an email.
The suicide’s proximity to Disney World’s famous monorail sparked unconfirmed reports online about the cause of death. However, a spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office told People that the victim was “NOT struck by the monorail” and considered any reports suggesting she was “misinformation.”
Local media outlet WKMG reported that local authorities were notified around 6:40 p.m. local time of a body on North World Dive, which runs through Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Bystander video posted online showed employees erecting a white pop-up tent on the Contemporary Resort’s terrace following the incident. Police cars can be seen gathering in the parking lot below.
Originally opened in October 1971 as the Tempo Bay Hotel, the Contemporary Resort is one of two original residences built at the Disney World resort. On the Disney World website, the hotel is described as “ultra-modern” accommodations featuring the “iconic contemporary A-frame tower” and a “90-foot-tall mural by Disney legend Mary Blair — responsible for the distinct look and feel of the ‘It’s a Small World’ attraction.”
The suicide comes a week after a woman in her 60s suffered a health scare and died after riding the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland in California. Anaheim police confirmed the woman became unresponsive after exiting the ride and that Disneyland security administered CPR to her until first responders took her to the hospital. She was later pronounced dead.
