PIX11—New York The mother of political consultant John Umberger, who was found dead last June several days after leaving a gay club, said she was notified Friday evening by NYPD investigators that six gang members have been indicted, some for felony murder, in a robbery ring that killed her son and others with a lethal drug cocktail.
The suspects may be evading arrest despite warrants.
Linda Clary, Umberger’s mother, told PIX11 News Sunday that she was informed of the indictments.
The New York Post, NewsNation, and the New York Daily News are covering the sealed criminal charges in Umberger’s death and that of social worker Julio Ramirez, who was found dead in a cab in April. Alvin Bragg’s office didn’t comment.
“We cannot comment or confirm,” Bragg’s spokesperson Doug Cohen told PIX11 News Sunday. Indictments are sealed until arraignment.”
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But PIX11 News knew a grand jury was convening in the last week to review the evidence against suspects related to Kenwood Allen, who was arrested in December for two felony murders of young men who tragically overdosed after leaving downtown clubs.
In December, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig reported that six drug-facilitated theft victims had died and 24 had survived.
After leaving The Q NYC in Hell’s Kitchen on May 28 with two males, Umberger’s bank accounts were emptied of about $23,000. Before his death was uncovered on June 1, he was observed with men entering his boss’ East 61 Street townhouse.
After his death, Ramirez’s bank accounts were emptied of over $20,000. He entered a taxi with three men outside Ritz Bar.
Umberger’s mother said the killers used face recognition to access victims’ phone banking apps. She suggested changing the device account access.
Sunday’s Linda Clary advised “old school.” “No facial recognition.”
Clary criticized the city for failing to warn clubgoers about drugging in the spring of last year.
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“We pay the salaries of these people who are supposed to look out for us,” Clary fumed. “They weren’t doing anything unless I went to the media.”
Clarissa, a Republican like her son, made a Lee Zeldin campaign ad days before the November election. She was angry by state Democratic bail regulations. Democrat Kathy Hochul earned a full term.
Staten Island building shooting: Since last spring, NYPD PIX11 News has covered the club druggings, discovering that many Manhattan heist squads were suspected.
“It appears the gangs have agreed on ‘turf areas,’” Clary said.
After nine months, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner published Umberger and Ramirez’s toxicological findings. Umberger and Ramirez had fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, ethanol, and lidocaine.
The medical examiner confirmed on Friday that fashion designer Katie Gallagher, who clothed Lady Gaga and Laverne Cox, was another drug-facilitated theft victim. On July 24, Gallagher, 35, was found dead in bed at her downtown Eldridge Street apartment. Her murderer is unknown.
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A law enforcement source informed PIX11 News that the Manhattan grand jury convening this week was also reviewing the cases of two people who died in Manhattan but were dumped in Riverdale, Bronx, last year.
Clary credited Manhattan North Homicide Detective Randy Rose for linking Ramirez and Umberger’s deaths.
