Deaths of 2 men who were drugged in Hell's Kitchen bars ruled homicides
NEW YORK -- The deaths of two men who were drugged after a night out in Hell's Kitchen have officially been ruled homicides.
This comes as police are investigating a string of similar incidents at bars across Manhattan.
It's been nearly a year since 25-year-old Julio Ramirez was found dead in the back of a taxi after a night out in Hell's Kitchen.
A few weeks after that, 33-year-old John Umberger was found dead in his apartment. He was last seen leaving Q nightclub in Hell's Kitchen with three unidentified men.
"The wallet had been emptied of the credit cards, debit cards and drivers license," Umberger's mother, Linda Clary, told CBS2 in November.
Finally on Friday, the medical examiner ruled both of their deaths to be homicides, determining they were each given drugs as part of a robbery attempt.
The medical examiner found both Ramirez and Umberger had a dangerous mix of fentanyl, cocaine, alcohol and other drugs in their systems when they died.
"Their deaths were the result of foul play. Now, we want justice," City Councilman Erik Bottcher said.
Police are investigating a string of similar incidents in which thieves drug and rob people in bars all across Manhattan, especially so in Hell's Kitchen.
"They are drugging people and taking advantage of people who are already very intoxicated or under the influence, and they're gaining access to their electronic banking accounts," Bottcher said.
Bottcher has been trying to spread awareness to bars and bargoers in the neighborhood.
"I love my neighborhood. I think they're doing the best that they can, but of course, you want more security all the time," Hell's Kitchen resident Jim Stake said.
"I think we live in an age where you kind of have to think about that stuff a lot more," Hell's Kitchen resident Alexander Wilfert said.
"Watch out for one another," Hell's Kitchen resident Kathleen Hagerty said. "'Cause a lot of these guys will tell you, 'I'll get you a car home,' and then they'll be in your apartment 45 minutes later."
Umberger's mother told me she is relieved by the medical examiner's conclusion, saying, "This final determination is a great reminder of the power of perseverance in search of the truth."
To date, nobody has been charged in Umberger's nor Ramirez's case.
