A 17-year-old high school student died after falling inside an abandoned high-rise tower in downtown New Orleans, an incident that has highlighted the dangers of urban exploration and unaddressed city blight.
Jacque St Ann, from Belle Chasse, Louisiana, entered the fenced-off, 45-story Plaza Tower with friends on the night of 15 August. They ascended to a higher floor around midnight and Jacque fell while descending an interior staircase. Police declined to say from which floor he fell, citing respect for his family.
Paramedics pronounced Jacque dead at the scene. The coroner's office gave his cause of death as “blunt force injuries due to fall from height.” Another teen in the group was hospitalized with a deep arm and wrist laceration. Police did not disclose how many were in the group and believe some may have left before the fall.
Warnings Against Urban Exploring
Following the death, New Orleans police warned the public against “urban exploring,” which involves entering off-limits, abandoned structures. They said the Plaza Tower's darkness and deteriorating condition made it highly dangerous.
“This is not a safe building, and this is not a safe place to poke around – and at night, and in the dark in the middle of the night,” said Nicholas Gernon, a deputy police superintendent, at a news conference.
Michael Harrison, New Orleans deputy mayor and former police superintendent, said, “This is truly a tragic incident – and so no one, kids or adults, should be entering into boarded-up, abandoned buildings, especially when they are secured. Let us make sure we offer our condolences and sympathies to this young man who lost his life.”
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick acknowledged that Jacque's friends and families are “traumatized,” but also mentioned the possibility of trespassing charges after a grieving period. Established urban explorers have also discouraged young people from entering such structures, citing physical dangers.
Questions Over Building Ownership
The death has raised questions about the Plaza Tower, which has been derelict for years. The 58-year-old building has not been used since before Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In 2021, falling debris struck a cyclist, leading to protective netting.
City officials identified Alexandria Land & Development LLC, the estate of late land magnate Joe Jaeger, as the owner, and said the entity is legally responsible for securing the building. Jaeger bought the tower in 2014, but lack of action led to fines and a court order for demolition. He died in a car accident in June 2024.
Potential sales complicated demolition, which would cost an estimated $25m to 28m, and redevelopment plans have stalled due to financing struggles.
City and Police Response
The administration of Mayor Helena Moreno pledged to continue securing the building and support redevelopment to return it to commerce. The city is studying a “Difficult to Develop Area” designation to support housing-related financing, with construction possibly beginning by mid-2027, though no specific timeline exists.
Police said they would temporarily increase patrols around the tower. Harrison noted, “It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that this abandoned building is secure and that no one can enter it.” Kirkpatrick said security was reportedly provided but could not confirm it was present at the time. The owner could “possibly” face charges for failing to secure the property, but that would be decided later.
A Facebook statement from Jacque's family said, “We miss our boy more than words could ever express. Our hearts want nothing more than to have him back with us. We love him beyond measure, and that love will never end.”
Belle Chasse High School said, “Jacque was an outstanding student and, more importantly, an exceptional young man who made a lasting impact on those around him … His absence will be felt deeply by … everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.” The school district will provide counselors for students and staff through the upcoming week.
