Community in Mourning Following Tragic Accident at Abandoned Sebastian Condominium
The Vero Beach and Indian River County communities are grappling with a profound loss after a 16-year-old Vero Beach High School student tragically fell to her death at an abandoned condominium complex. The heartbreaking incident has ignited serious local conversations regarding public safety, code enforcement, and the dangers posed by derelict properties along the Treasure Coast.
A Night That Ended in Tragedy
Late in the evening on Saturday, August 8, Roylynn Scott and a group of fellow teenagers entered a long-abandoned construction site known as The River Preserve. Located east of U.S. 1 and north of Route 510, the property has sat unfinished since 2007. According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the group had made their way to the rooftop of one of the four-story concrete structures.
The evening took a devastating turn when the teenager fell through a structural hole on the roof, and subsequently through another opening on the third floor, plummeting 29 feet to the concrete second story. Despite the frantic efforts of her friends—who immediately called 911 and were instructed by dispatchers to perform CPR—and the swift response of Indian River County deputies and fire rescue personnel, the young student could not be saved. She was airlifted to Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, where she was pronounced dead.
The tragic loss of a 16-year-old Vero Beach High School student at the derelict River Preserve development highlights the critical public safety risks of long-abandoned construction projects in Indian River County, prompting intense scrutiny over why the known hazard was never condemned or demolished.
The Dark History of The River Preserve
The concrete skeletons where the tragedy occurred are remnants of a shelved riverside condominium project. Construction began in 2005 but was completely abandoned by 2007 during the housing market crash when property values plummeted. For nearly two decades, the site has been a known local nuisance. Authorities have recorded numerous trespassing calls over the years, with more than 30 adults and juveniles cited or arrested at the location in the past decade.
Urban explorers and local law enforcement describe the site as highly dangerous. Hazards scattered throughout the three unfinished buildings include:
- Open elevator shafts and unmarked air duct drops spanning from the roof to ground level with no safety barriers.
- Shards of broken glass and exposed, sharp pipes.
- Signs of frequent illicit gatherings, including discarded glow-sticks, empty spray paint cans, and used needles.
- Widespread graffiti ranging from simple tags to elaborate artwork along the unfinished walls.
Missed Opportunities for Demolition
Questions are now swirling around why the buildings were never officially condemned by Indian River County. Public records indicate that the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission was well aware of the property’s deteriorating condition. During a meeting in July 2025—just over a year before the fatal fall—a representative for the property owner, Indian River Preserve LLC, stated that the structures would be torn down as soon as possible. Despite these assurances and the known safety risks, the derelict buildings remained standing and easily accessible via a wooded trail and a locked bar gate.
Vero Beach Unites to Honor a Young Life
In the wake of this devastating event, the local community has rallied to support the grieving family and students. The School District of Indian River County coordinated with the local Sheriff’s Office to provide therapy dogs and grief counselors at the 3,000-student Vero Beach High School campus. Furthermore, a poignant moment of silence was observed in Roylynn’s honor before a recent football game at Billy Livings Field at the Citrus Bowl.
The teenager’s family is receiving widespread community support. A GoFundMe campaign established by her grandmother to help cover expenses and support a charity in Roylynn’s memory quickly approached its goal, raising thousands of dollars within days. Funeral services were organized at Grace Lutheran Church in South Vero, followed by a celebration of life at Lake Vinca Park in Sebastian.
Local authorities are using this somber moment to issue strict warnings to Treasure Coast residents, reminding parents and teenagers alike of the severe, life-threatening dangers of trespassing on abandoned properties and the tragic consequences that can follow.
