Death by Misadventure: A Ghosthunter Falls to Her Death in Toronto, Canada
by People do stupid things. I don’t mean that by ‘they believe in ghosts,’ I mean that by trespassing where no ghosts have ever been reported, risk-taking and dying in a mishap trying to find evidence of non-existent spirit activity.
The University of Toronto here in Toronto, Canada has been in the news of late. One of their buildings, a beautiful ivy-covered Gothic structure at 1 Spadina Crescent (see map below) in downtown Toronto was the setting of misadventure. A ‘paranormal investigator‘ has died.
Image via Wikipedia
Two ‘ghost hunters’ were exploring (and trespassing in so doing) the building on the rooftop when the male jumped from one rooftop to another, and his female accomplice failed to make the necessary jump and fell four storeys to her death. This is the building (below) where the death occurred.
University of Toronto Building at 1 Spadina Crescent
Police say that the 29 year old woman was being supported by a wire or cable which broke and upset her intended jump, causing her to fall. Her 34 year old male friend survived and is being questioned by police. As of yet, there have been no charges laid and the death of the female is being attributed to ‘death by misadventure.’ It is possible that trespass charges may be laid upon the surviving male but for now, that has not be revealed.
An Unsolved Murder Mystery Perhaps Fueled Speculation about Ghosts
The building was erected in 1875 so it is old, Gothic in appearance and wrongly predisposed by some to the notion of spirit activity. Fueling recent interest in possible spirit activity, it is noted than an unsolved murder on these premises in January 2001 occurred when 51 year old David Buller was found stabbed to death in his studio at this location. His murder has to this day remained unsolved and his assailant not brought to justice. It is possible that this recent death may revive interest in this cold case.
Some universities and historic sites do actually offer their premises to ‘ghost hunters’ to ply their trade if for nothing more than the notoriety and novelty of being so featured. But this particular building has no history or reports of any ghost or other-worldly activity.
Image via Wikipedia
Popularized by cult television programs like “Ghost Hunters” and “Beyond,” people have this assumption that every old building must be haunted. They take it upon themselves to prove it, even if they have to take risks such as trespassing upon dangerous or weak structures or, in the most recent case, being on unsafe locations such as the roof. They could well have sought permission to investigate this location and received it, even though there have never been any reported incidents of haunting here.
I wonder what a ghost here would say if one could record the voice. Probably something like ‘live your life’ and ’stay off the roof.’ This was a pretty stupid way to die.
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Post Commentmartie
On September 12, 2009 at 7:20 am
It’s always sad when people lose their life, especially when it was all so unnecessary.
Lauren Axelrod
On September 12, 2009 at 9:28 am
Wow, I’ve never heard about this place. This is too eery.
Yovita Siswati
On September 12, 2009 at 10:18 am
Poor guy! Great article
Joanne Olivieri
On September 12, 2009 at 4:55 pm
So sad someone had to lose their life over something so silly.
Uma Shankari
On September 12, 2009 at 5:18 pm
What was the connection between jumping and proof for the existence of ghosts? Any way, a sad ending to whatever they were trying to investigate.
thestickman
On September 12, 2009 at 8:31 pm
No connection. A foolish, tragic accident occurred because they were on a steep roof, presumably at night, probably carrying film equipment at least. Relying upon a pre-exisiting “wire” (phone cable, etc.??) attached to the building for climbing support was just stupid. It was not meant for that purpose, -that is why it broke and she fell.
Had they permission to ‘investigate’ this location, they may have received it and in all likelihood, would not have been on the roof moving about in a sneaky manner. They had no business being on the roof under any circumstance except to gain entry to another part of the building (again, tied to the criminality of trespass.) I find it disturbing that people can gain illegal access to the roof of a college building and move from ‘rooftop to rooftop’ and perhaps this suggests modus operandi of the heretofore uncaptured murderer that killed David Buller back in 2001. -Make me want to make the hell sure that I LOCK my balcony door and windows at night and WE live on the fourth floor! -Don’t want some thug climbing in from the roof! :-O
Choco R
On September 13, 2009 at 8:32 am
Poor girl… but I guess she shouldn’t have been sneaking around like that. It’s a pity she lost her life that way.
Lostash
On September 13, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Guess it’s probably haunted now then!
Mr Ghaz
On September 14, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Excellent!!..a very interesting stories and well presented as always..Well done!..Thanks for sharing this great work.
justb3u
On October 13, 2009 at 12:42 am
She could have not died because of goust. They cannot hurt us. Search syilvia browne
B Nelson
On October 20, 2009 at 10:44 pm
nasty way to die. You are right, if they had asked permission it probably would have been a lot safer.