EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please call 888-NYC-WELL for confidential support in New York City. For those outside the city, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
The Disney World hotel where an Illinois resident recently took her own life has a troubling reputation regarding suicides.
Summer Equitz, 31, a dedicated Disney fan, was discovered at the Contemporary Resort Hotel in Florida on Tuesday evening.
Equitz, who lived in Naperville, a suburb of Chicago, got married last year, spent her honeymoon at Disney World in October, and announced her pregnancy two months later, though it’s uncertain if she gave birth.
The well-known resort where Equitz passed away, which opened its doors in 1971, has played host to several tragic incidents in recent years.
On March 22, 2016, a visitor jumped from the central A-frame of the resort, as reported at the time.
Additional information regarding the situation or the individual remains scarce.
In March 2020, a woman tragically jumped from the Contemporary Resort in front of shocked onlookers.
Emergency responders confirmed her death, with the help of deputies and officials from Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District according to WESH.
“We believe this was a suicide, and we currently have no further details to provide,” stated the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
In July 2023, another individual reportedly took their own life at the same resort.
A guest suggested that “security prevented us from accessing the 5th-floor bridge to the Contemporary that morning” in a post on X at that time.
They went on to mention, “I stepped outside and saw the aftermath being handled [and] investigated from afar. Apparent suicide. My thoughts are with the family,” they noted.
Authorities confirmed the distressing event in a statement.
“On July 26, 2023, at 5:33 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the Contemporary Resort following a report of a man found unresponsive on the hotel’s premises. He was declared dead on site,” the statement mentioned.
Located near Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Hotel is arguably the most renowned among the over 25 hotels on the Disney World property.
The resort’s monorail connects directly to the hotel lobby, providing access to various dining options and character meet-and-greets, notably at Chef Mickey’s — Disney World’s original character dining experience, established in 1977.
Jim Hill from the “Disney Dish” podcast previously discussed with The Post the troubling connection between the Contemporary Resort and suicides.
“There’s a strange trend where individuals suffering from severe depression seek to create one last joyful experience with their family at Walt Disney World,” Hill explained in 2022.
“They intentionally reserve a room at the Contemporary Resort, which stands 14 stories high. Following their family time, they will take the tragic step of jumping off the building,” he shared.
Hill alleged that Disney often tries to keep incidents like suicides and other unfortunate events from the public eye.
“Disney has a mechanism in place to swiftly cover up the aftermath,” he stated. “They strive to protect the public from witnessing such tragedies.”
“In earlier times, Walt Disney World maintained its own fire and medical support services; thus, if a death or significant injury occurred and there were no signs of life, protocols mandated that they should initiate resuscitation efforts until an emergency vehicle departed the property,” Hill elaborated in 2022.
A historical case highlighted in a book from the 1990s, “Inside the Mouse,” recounted an incident where a man ended his life at Epcot, not officially pronounced dead until much later.
A cast member recounted, “The medic informed me that they aren’t permitted to declare someone dead on-site.”
With the prevalence of smartphones and social media, Disney has faced increasing challenges in managing the narrative surrounding such tragedies.
Walt Disney World did not reply to multiple requests for comment on Thursday.
