85.Targeted: The Murder of John Umberger

Today we’re headed to New York City, where in May of 2022, 33-year-old John Umberger walked out of the townhome where he was staying - and headed to dinner with some friends. John, the social creature he was, met with more friends at a rooftop bar. 

After midnight, John made his last stop;  the Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood. 

After leaving the Q, nobody heard from John again. He stopped answering calls, didn’t respond to texts, missed social events with friends - and then missed work. Where was he? 

As each day passed with no word from John, his family began to panic. And then, they took action.

Thank you to Linda Clary for sharing her story and for sharing John with all of us.

Visit the JACU Foundation here

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Promo: Mortal Musings Podcast

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Method & Madness is researched, written, hosted, & produced by Dawn Gandhi

Music by Tymur Khakimov from Pixabay

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Sources for this episode:

Druggings, Deaths and Robberies Put New York’s Gay Community on Edge - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Fatal Overdoses of 2 Who Died After Leaving Gay Bars Are Ruled Homicides - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Mom of NYC gay bar homicide victim John Umberger speaks out (nbcnews.com)

Jul 06, 1969, page 113 - Daily News at Newspapers.com

John Umberger Murder Suspect Turns Himself Into NYPD; 1 Still at Large – NBC New York

Dec 04, 2022, page A9 - The Buffalo News at Newspapers.com

Family, Friends Demand Answers After Brooklyn Man Mysteriously Found Dead in Cab – NBC New York

'The Q' NYC: Multilevel LGBTQ Nightclub Opens in Hell’s Kitchen - Thrillist

Lidocaine Can Cause Harmful Effects | Poison Control

NYC Fashion Designer Katie Gallagher’s Death Ruled Homicide: What to Know – NBC New York

Final suspect arrested in string of NYC gay bar robberies that left two dead (nbcnews.com)

Man arrested on murder charges in gay bar drugging scheme (nbcnews.com)

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84. Narcissistic Abuse with Vanessa Reiser, LCSW