Featured Image: At the Top SKY observation deck on the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa as it appeared at the time of Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death on 16 November 2014.
On 16 November 2014, Laura Vanessa Nunes died following a fall of approximately 500 metres from the At the Top SKY observation deck on the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa to a terrace outside Amal Restaurant on the third floor of the Armani Hotel.
Her death was recorded as suicide. However, the circumstances of where and how this occurred—and subsequent attempts to dispute the location of her death—gave rise to a number of questions that remain unresolved.
The Observation Deck
On 14 October 2014, the At the Top SKY observation deck on the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa was inaugurated and opened to the public the following day.
On 16 November 2014, less than one month later, Laura Vanessa Nunes died following a fall of 500 metres from the observation deck on the 148th floor to a terrace on the third floor outside Amal restaurant, part of the Armani Hotel. The restaurant was closed at the time.
The location of the fall, the height involved, and the configuration of the structure between the 148th floor and the third-floor terrace introduce significant physical considerations. These factors are central to reconstructing the sequence of events and assessing the consistency of reported accounts.
The observation deck, having only recently opened to the public, also forms an important contributing element. Its design, accessibility, and any subsequent changes are therefore relevant to assessing the conditions in which the incident occurred.
Following Laura’s death, modifications were made to the observation deck. Original architectural gaps in the glass security panels intended for photography were subsequently retrofitted with reinforced safety railings and tightened enclosures.
Key Areas of Concern
The circumstances surrounding Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death give rise to a number of questions that remain unresolved:
- Location of the fall: The precise point from which Laura fell, and its relationship to the location where her body was found, has not been clearly established in the available public record.
- Design and configuration of the observation deck: The structural layout, safety barriers, and accessibility of the 148th floor observation deck are relevant to understanding the physical context of the incident.
- Changes following the incident: Reports indicate that modifications were made to elements of the observation deck after Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death, raising questions about the original configuration.
- Differences in reported accounts: Variations in how the events were initially reported, including discrepancies in location and detail, remain unresolved.
- Availability of documentation: The extent to which complete records, evidence, and supporting materials are accessible remains a relevant consideration.
Documentary Evidence
Documentary Evidence
The documentary record relating to Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death includes medical forensic documentation, diplomatic correspondence, authentication records, hotel records, timelines and supporting evidence.
Official forensic documentation forms part of the recorded account of Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death.
The availability and interpretation of official documentation play a central role in establishing the factual record. Forensic reports, procedural records, and official communications provide a structured account of the incident as it was recorded at the time.
However, the relationship between these documents and the way the incident has been publicly reported introduces additional considerations. Differences between documentation and reported narratives form part of the broader record examined within this site.
The Medical Forensic Report issued in Dubai confirms the date and location of the incident, as recorded at the time.
The Medical Forensic Report records:
“Upon the request of senior prosecutor Ahmed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, as included in the letter issued by the action chief of Bur Dubai Police Station under No. 240857/34/2/3151 dated 17/11/2014, I, the expert, Dr. Hazem Mitwali Sharif, the coroner of Dubai Police, carried out the external anatomic examination on the body of the deceased.”
The report further records that the coroner attended the scene following a call from the Dubai Police Operations Office and observed the deceased at a location identified as the Burj Khalifa on 16 November 2014.
Recorded circumstances:
“Having received the phone call from Operations Office at Dubai Police, I moved to the balcony of the third floor of Burj Khalifa on 16/11/2014, to find out that her body was lying on the right side…”
Related Resources
Media Coverage of the Suicide at the Burj Khalifa
Media reporting on Laura’s death has varied in both detail and accuracy. The dedicated section of this site will include:
The Book
The full narrative, documentary evidence and chronology are presented in Suicide at the Burj Khalifa A dedicated book page is available within the Books section of this website.
To this day, authorities in Dubai have not publicly and transparently acknowledged Laura’s death from the Burj Khalifa, which has been the driving force behind my writing the book Suicide at the Burj Khalifa that was recently published on Amazon. Her death and the circumstances of her death, will never be buried again. Suicide at the Burj Khalifa provides a 61-page appendix of evidence, some of which can be viewed here.
Further Reading
The full narrative, documentary evidence, chronology and supporting material relating to Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death are presented in Suicide at the Burj Khalifa. The revised edition includes an expanded appendix of evidence and supporting documentation.
Further documentary evidence is available within the Evidence section of this website.
A life, a voice, and the truth that remains
On 16 November 2014, Laura Vanessa Nunes died at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai after falling from the At the Top SKY observation deck on the 148th floor.
Her death was recorded as suicide. However, the circumstances of her death and subsequent attempts to deny where it occurred raised serious questions that remain unresolved.
20 May 2015. From news.com.au
The final moments of Laura Nunes
HAS the mega-rich Emirate been caught in a huge lie about the circumstances of the death of a tourist at a popular attraction?
Why This Website Exists
This website documents Laura’s life, her death, the documentary evidence, media reporting and my subsequent investigation. Its purpose is to preserve the evidence, promote transparency, and ensure that Laura’s story can never again be buried.
New Evidence & Research
This section highlights recently added evidence, documents, media coverage and extracts from the book, Suicide at the Burj Khalifa. Content is updated regularly as additional material is added to the archive.
Recently Added
Newly released diplomatic correspondence records the evolving information provided to Portuguese officials in the hours following Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death in Dubai.
Diplomatic Correspondence Relating to Laura Vanessa Nunes
Following the recovery of physical evidence indicating that Laura may have been staying at Abidos Hotel Dubailand, I contacted the hotel seeking clarification regarding her accommodation, bookings and personal belongings.
The phone rang. It was an inspector from the Dubai Police who had been instructed to phone me and to answer all my questions.
When I asked if I could see the CCTV footage, he grew aggressive and impatient. When I asked where Laura had been staying, he grew even more hostile.
5 January 2015, from Suicide at the Burj Khalifa. Chapter 3: The Dusky Pink Handbag
While writing this book I discovered that At the Top SKY has lost its title as the world’s highest outdoor observation deck. As of 5 January 2026, the Clock Tower in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, now holds that record at a height of 560.875 metres.
The Burj Khalifa, however, retains another distinction: the world’s highest lounge, located at 584.5 metres. The Lounge spans levels 152, 153, and 154. An outdoor balcony forms part of the 152nd floor and is protected only by a chest-high glass barrier.
Explore
This site also ensures that Laura is remembered, and her voice is heard, not only through the circumstances surrounding her death, but through her thoughts, her notes, her choice of music, her view of life, and the personal material she left behind. These materials will gradually be introduced on her page, “Laura”, which is currently under development.
For so many years Laura’s life has been obscured by her death. Writing the book has been cathartic for me as her mother and finally I can start to remember her when she was alive. It is time to celebrate her life.
The Life of Laura Vanessa Nunes
She was thoughtful, creative, and expressive, leaving behind work and reflections that provide insight into her character and perspective.
Her writings, music, and personal reflections provide insight into her perspective and her way of understanding the world.
This website is dedicated to my daughter Laura.
Last updated 25 August, 2026