Imagine walking into a hospital and looking up at the roof – only to see a man dressed like the Grim Reaper standing above you.
That is reportedly what happened at a hospital in Wales, where a bizarre rooftop incident brought police and firefighters to the scene.
A Strange Figure Appeared on the Hospital Roof
The incident happened on June 6, 2026, at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in St Asaph, Wales.
According to reports, 26-year-old Leon Gillespie climbed onto the hospital roof wearing a black hooded outfit. He was also carrying an object that appeared to resemble a scythe.
For people below, the scene looked disturbingly similar to something from a horror movie.
Gillespie reportedly remained on the roof for around 50 minutes, looking down toward people at the hospital and making noises.
Police and Firefighters Were Called
The unusual incident quickly attracted attention around the hospital.
Police officers and firefighters were called to deal with the situation, with reports saying several police vehicles and a fire service vehicle attended.
Eventually, Gillespie was brought down from the roof and arrested.
But the strangest part of the story came when the case reached court.
He Said He Wasn’t Dressed as the Grim Reaper
Although his appearance led people to describe him as the Grim Reaper, Gillespie reportedly disputed that description.
He told the court that his outfit was intended to represent a bird or crow, rather than the traditional figure associated with death.
Whatever the intention, his appearance on the hospital roof had already caused enough concern to result in police involvement.
He Eventually Pleaded Guilty
Gillespie later appeared in court and pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance or disturbance on NHS premises.
He was fined £200 for the offence.
The court also heard about two unrelated shoplifting offences involving pet supplies and supermarket goods.
The hospital’s health board also reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to abuse, aggression and nuisance behaviour on its sites.
A Viral Story With a Very Real Ending
The image of a hooded man standing on a hospital roof with what appeared to be a scythe sounds almost too strange to be real.
But the underlying incident was genuine.
The only part that needs some context is the “Grim Reaper” description. That was how his appearance was interpreted, but Gillespie himself reportedly said he was portraying a crow.
Either way, a hospital roof was probably the last place anyone expected to find someone dressed like that.
