Schoolgirl, 16, met horrific end while exploring abandoned condo building with her friends

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:53, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 20:53, 14 August 2026 A Florida teenager plummeted to her death through the roof of an abandoned building while out exploring with friends. Roylynn Scott, 16, was trespassing on a derelict condo when she fell 29 feet through a hole in the roof on August 8, according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. 'Upon arrival, deputies located a group of juveniles and the critically injured teen on the second floor of an abandoned four-story building,' the sheriff's office said. 'The investigation determined the group had been trespassing on the property and was on the roof when the teen fell through a hole in the roof, dropping approximately 29 feet to the floor below.'  Her friends, who have not been identified, called 911 and one person in the group knew CPR and immediately began life-saving measures.  In graphic dispatch audio obtained by WPEC, Scott's friends reported that she was bleeding from her mouth and the side of her head.  'There's a hole on the condo and she fell down from the condo, about three stories,' one male voice said on the call. Another friend screamed, 'Please wake up!' Roylynn Scott, 16, plunged to her death through the roof of a derelict building while out exploring with friends Police said she was was trespassing with the group when she fell 29 feet through a hole in the roof on August 8 Scott was flown to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries a short time later. 'Criminal Investigations detectives are actively investigating. At this time, all evidence indicates this was an accident,' the sheriff's office said. 'The Indian River County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time.  'We also want to remind the public, especially parents and teens, of the serious dangers posed by climbing on abandoned structures, and the legal consequences of trespassing on privately owned property.' Scott's grandmother described the Vero Beach High School student as a beloved and loyal friend. 'You never expect anything like this to happen. And when it does, the grief is overwhelming. Just overwhelming,' her grandmother, Carole Melasi, told the local news station. 'She would light the room up. She walked in, she let you know she was in the room. She had a lot of friends and she had a big personality,' Melasi added. Melasi acknowledged that her granddaughter should not have been trespassing, but is demanding officials take action by removing abandoned buildings.  Scott's grandmother described the Vero Beach High School student as a beloved and loyal friend The grandmother acknowledged that her granddaughter should not have been trespassing, but is demanding officials take action by removing abandoned buildings 'We know what she did. We know that they shouldn't have been trespassing. We know that. But the buildings shouldn't be there,' Melasi said.  The building Scott fell through had posted 'No Trespassing' signs and has been abandoned since at least 2007, according to the sheriff's office. The family has launched a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses and to make a charitable donation in Scott's honor. It has raised over $5,000 as of Friday afternoon. The Indian River County School District released a statement about Scott's death, which happened just two days before the school year began. 'The School District of Indian River County extends its heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragic loss of one of our students,' the school district said. 'School administrators have been in communication with the family. With the family's consent, a moment of silence will be observed before Friday night's football game in remembrance of their loved one.'