On Monday, authorities in New York City announced the arrest of a third and final suspect in connection to the murders of two men who had visited gay bars in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. John Umberger, a political consultant, and Julio Ramirez, a social worker, were both found dead after leaving the bars with at least one unknown person before their bank accounts were drained of thousands of dollars using facial recognition access on their phones.
The suspect, Jayqwan Hamilton, 35, was charged with murder, robbery, grand larceny, identity theft and conspiracy in connection to the deaths of Umberger and Ramirez. Two other men, Robert Demaio and Jacob Barroso, were previously arrested this month in connection to the same case. According to senior law enforcement officials, police obtained security video showing Hamilton and Demaio entering and leaving Umberger’s temporary residence in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Last month, the medical examiner’s office ruled the deaths of Umberger and Ramirez as homicides caused by a “drug-facilitated theft.” Multiple drugs were found in their systems, including fentanyl, lidocaine, and cocaine. Police named Hamilton, Demaio, and Barroso last month as among those responsible for a broader “citywide robbery pattern” that includes at least 17 victims.
The robberies and deaths occurred from September 19, 2021, to August 28, 2022, according to authorities. Two additional suspects, Andre Butts and Shane Hoskins, were apprehended in connection with the same string of robberies. An indictment naming Hoskins, Demaio, Butts, Barroso, and a fifth unidentified co-conspirator outlined a pattern in which victims were “incapacitated to the extent that their ability to perceive events became diminished” so the suspects could then steal their cellphones and credit cards.
NBC News has spoken with several gay men who said they survived similar incidents from December 2021 to last month. The New York City police have confirmed that multiple groups of criminals are committing such crimes against men visiting the city’s gay bars. Police also said similar crimes were being committed against patrons of bars without any LGBTQ affiliation.
Last month, the New York City medical examiner’s office confirmed that it is investigating “several additional deaths in similar circumstances” to those of Ramirez and Umberger. It is unclear, however, whether they were found dead after having visited gay bars or whether they were connected with Demaio, Barroso, and Hamilton. A spokesperson said the medical examiner’s office “could not comment further due to the ongoing criminal investigations.”
As investigations continue into these horrific crimes, the LGBTQ community in New York City and beyond demands justice for the victims and safety for all who visit the city’s gay bars.