Third young man found dead in New York City creek in the last year

A 30-year-old man was found useless in New York Metropolis’s Newton Creek only one yr after two different younger partygoers have been additionally discovered useless in the identical polluted waterway, which is close to a number of nightlife venues.

Damani Alexander, 30, was discovered within the creek, which straddles Brooklyn and Queens, on July 30. The circumstances of Alexander’s dying bear a hanging resemblance to the 2 different younger males — Karl Clemente and John Castic — who have been discovered useless in Newton Creek final summer season after leaving the Brooklyn Mirage evening membership.

Alexander’s physique was found at round 12:15 a.m. on July 30 after somebody referred to as 911 for a water rescue, the NYPD stated. He was pronounced useless on the scene.

His mom, Desiree Nicholson, informed Pix11 that Alexander had gone to the Knockdown Middle, an occasion venue within the Maspeth neighborhood of Queens, on July 28. The venue was internet hosting a Tiki Disco from 2 to 10 p.m. that day.

In some unspecified time in the future on July 28, Alexander informed his buddy that he was at risk, Nicholson informed the outlet.

It’s not clear what occurred within the two days between when he attended the Tiki Disco and when his physique was discovered within the creek.

Investigators positioned his pockets — however not his telephone, Nicholson famous. There have been additionally no indicators of trauma and investigators believed it’s unlikely that he drowned, she stated.

Police are investigating the incident. The Unbiased has emailed the Workplace of the Chief Medical Examiner, which is able to decide the reason for dying.

“Damani beloved life,” his mom informed Pix11.

Following the tragedy, Council Member Robert Holden, who represents the realm encompassing the Knockdown Middle, informed The Unbiased in an announcement: “My coronary heart goes out to the household of Damani Alexander throughout this tough time, and extra should be performed to stop future tragedies.”

Holden’s workplace reached out to the NYPD, which stated they don’t suspect foul play on this specific case — nor within the deaths of the 2 people final yr, a spokesperson for Holden stated. Police additionally acknowledged that there are inadequate security measures within the space. “When institutions serving liquor are positioned close to a physique of water, the chance of tragedy will increase, as we’ve sadly witnessed,” the spokesperson stated.

This info hopefully places to relaxation on-line theories that there’s a serial killer prowling the realm.

Alexander’s dying marks the third younger man who was discovered within the waterway previously yr. Though not one of the three deaths have been formally linked, they bear simple similarities.

On June 11, 2023, Karl Clemente, 27, went to the East Williamsburg nightclub The Brooklyn Mirage, a 20-minute stroll from the Knockdown Middle. He was turned away round 10 p.m. as a result of employees stated he had been ingesting, his father informed Fox Information on the time.

Video surveillance obtained by the outlet confirmed Clemente operating across the space earlier than his disappearance.

“Why was he operating?” his father informed the outlet. “Somebody was chasing him. There’s one thing fishy right here.”

His physique was discovered days later, on June 16, however his pockets and telephone weren’t recovered. The medical expert decided Clemente died from drowning and dominated the way of dying an accident.

Two months later, John Castic, additionally 27, suffered the same destiny.

Castic was final seen leaving the venue round 3 a.m. on July 29, 2023. Round 11 a.m. on August 1, somebody referred to as 911 after seeing a “bloated, shirtless physique floating face-down” in a department of the East River tributary, the New York Put up reported on the time.

Each his pockets and telephone have been recovered together with his physique. The medical expert’s workplace confirmed that Castic drowned however marked the way of dying as “undetermined.” His father famous on the time that there have been no indicators of foul play.

Whereas theories swirled on-line that the deaths have been related, given their comparable circumstances, metropolis officers insist that the tragedies are indicative of a bigger drawback: an absence of correct security measures within the space.

The realm across the waterway has change into a scorching spot for nightlife in recent times, with the Knockdown Middle, Brooklyn Mirage, Basement, Elsewhere, and different nightclubs all inside strolling distance from Newton Creek.

“The Newtown Creek, on each the Brooklyn and Queens sides, is way too accessible to the general public, and we urgently want safety and security enhancements not simply across the creek but in addition on the numerous golf equipment close by that function celebration spots,” Council Member Holden stated within the assertion.

Final yr, the exceptional similarities sparked a neighborhood outcry for security enhancements within the space.

A web based letter marketing campaign to Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, who represents the realm encompassing the venue, circulated final summer season, underscoring the protection considerations of the nightclub.

The letter famous “capability by vital numbers,” lack of safety surrounding the venue, an absence of well-lit pathways on the best way to coach stations, “unpermitted drivers posing as rideshares,” and “aggressive membership and venue promoters surrounding the realm.”

Gutiérrez informed The Unbiased final yr that the realm was a producing zone, not arrange for nightlife. She warned of the realm’s lack of lighting and scarce cellular phone service. “The heartbreaking and preventable deaths of Karl Clemente and John Castic… spotlight the necessity for primary public security measures and road infrastructure within the East Williamsburg Industrial Enterprise Zone,” the council member stated final August.

Though having nightlife in an industrial space isn’t very best, Gutiérrez stated: “If persons are right here, we have to determine easy methods to make it safer for people.”

Within the fall of 2023, within the aftermath of the deaths of Clemente and Castis, the Workplace of Nightlife labored within the East Williamsburg space to curb unlicensed taxi pickups, enhance lighting, and enhance cell service.

It’s not instantly clear what security measures have been applied within the space because the 2023 deaths. The Unbiased has reached out to the Knockdown Middle for remark.