In a span of just one week, two guests died in separate incidents at Walt Disney World, prompting concern and reflection across the Disney community. Authorities have confirmed that the cases are unrelated and that there are no signs of foul play in either.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday, October 14, near Disney’s Contemporary Resort southwest of Orlando, Florida. Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a body found along North World Drive. The victim was identified as Summer Equitz, 31, of Illinois. According to the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office, her death was ruled a suicide caused by multiple blunt impact injuries. Equitz was a former Disneyland performer and lifelong Disney fan, having worked as a character performer and entertainment host in Anaheim from 2012 to 2015. Authorities also dismissed social media rumors that a monorail was involved, calling those claims “erroneous.”
Just one week later, on Tuesday, October 21, deputies responded to a “Person Down” call at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground around 7:32 a.m. A man in his sixties was found at the 1500 loop-site known as Cottontail Curl, a designated area for tents and pop-up camping. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed there were no indications of foul play. The man’s identity has not been released, and the investigation remains ongoing. Disney has not issued a public statement but acknowledged the call to authorities and said they are working on communication with the man’s family.
These incidents mark the second and third deaths at Disney properties this month. Earlier in October, a woman suffered a fatal heart attack while riding the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland in California.
The timing of these tragedies has sparked conversations online about mental health awareness and the importance of support systems in all places, especially those often associated with joy and escape.
