Daredevils Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, have recovered the engagement ring they used in a high-profile stunt atop the Empire State Building. The couple, who were arrested after scaling the iconic structure, were granted supervised release by a Manhattan court.
Nikolau, who identifies as a "neoartist exploring identity, fear & freedom," posted on Instagram that they had received the ring back, along with their passports and bank cards. The ring is reportedly engraved with the message, "Your full potential is on the other side of fear." The couple also unfurled a banner from the building's spire that read, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
The pair, residents of East Orange, New Jersey, allegedly breached a mesh gate on the 102nd floor to access the maintenance area on the 103rd floor. Footage of their ascent and subsequent arrest was shared by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Despite the recovery of their personal items, Nikolau and Kuznetsov are scheduled to appear in court again on August 24. They face potential charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief, which could carry a sentence of up to seven years if convicted. Their defense attorney, Jason Krinsky, has argued that the charges are excessive and that there was no evidence of burglary tools or risk to the public.
The couple's daring feat gained further attention as they were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.