Rash of Drugging Deaths and Robberies Plague Manhattan Clubs

Indictments have been obtained for six people believed to be connected to the drugging deaths of John Umberger and Julio Ramirez, who were assaulted after taking tainted drugs at gay nightclubs in New York City. Police are searching for the suspects, with plans to charge at least two of them with second-degree murder. The drugging incidents have been linked to robberies in and around Manhattan clubs, with at least 43 incidents reported since September 2021. Seven of the drugging incidents resulted in fatal overdoses. The patterns involve a mix of both straight and gay bars, and of both heterosexual and LGBTQ people.