The third Disney World guest to die this month has been pictured days before his tragic passing. Matthew Alec Cohn, 28, reportedly jumped from the 12th floor of the Contemporary Resort hotel at the Orlando, Florida attraction, resulting in his death by suicide on Thursday.
Cohn, a native of nearby Winter Garden, was passionate about becoming a football referee. His Instagram showed him in his referee uniform with the hashtag “PathToNFL.” In his last post, shared in September 2024, he wrote, “Big-time players, make big-time plays,” alongside a photo of himself blowing a whistle as a player scored in the end zone. Since his death, his Instagram account has been made private.
Though originally from Florida, Cohn had spent several years living in Los Angeles, where he pursued a career in music. A SoundCloud account linked to him features several original tracks. He also appeared in Instagram posts for an alternative Christian band called New Shepards. Additionally, a second Instagram account based out of Los Angeles remains publicly accessible.
After his time in LA, Cohn briefly lived in Nashville before moving back in with his parents in the suburbs of Orlando last year. Notably, he had not posted on social media for over a year prior to his death.
According to reports, Cohn checked into the Contemporary Resort hotel last Wednesday night, paying for his room in cash. The following day, he jumped from the 12th floor. An Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office spokesperson confirmed that Cohn died of “multiple traumatic injuries,” and the death was officially ruled a suicide. This incident marks the second suicide at the Contemporary Resort hotel this month.
Disney super fan Summer Equitz, 31, also died recently after traveling to Florida from her home in Naperville, Illinois without informing her family. Her body was found on October 14.
Earlier last week, a second guest in his 60s passed away at Walt Disney World Resort. He reportedly experienced a medical episode at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, less than a mile from the Contemporary Resort. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the man’s death, though his identity has not been released.
These recent tragedies have brought attention to the well-being and safety of guests visiting Disney World, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and support.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/27/us-news/disney-world-jumper-matthew-cohn-idd-as-aspiring-nfl-ref/
