Drugged, robbed and left for dead: Gay New Yorkers link encounters to unexplained deaths

[Behind the Aegis]

The cases were weeks apart and eerily similar: Two young men at popular New York City gay bars. They each left with at least one mysterious person. They were both found dead. Both of their bank accounts were drained.

And they may not be the only ones.

More gay New Yorkers are coming forward for the first time with accounts that share notable similarities to the unexplained deaths this spring of Julio Ramirez, 25, a social worker, and John Umberger, 33, a political consultant.

The biggest difference so far: They survived.

NBC News spoke to two people who described harrowing experiences that seem to broadly fit the pattern of what happened to Ramirez and Umberger.

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Do NOT read the comments lest you want your head to spin around in rage. You have been warned!

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Kick for visibility

This is frightening.

[secondwind]

2. Just horrible!

That photo of Umberger, he looks like such a nice person, what a shame!!

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Sounds like a copycat of the latest season of

American Horror Show.

[yankee87]

4. Horrible

I feel so sad for the victims and their families. This is every parent's nightmare. BTW, you were right about the comments. Hope they catch the murderer soon.

[Vogon_Glory]

5. Heterosexuals have no reason to feel smug

This sort of thing could happen to them too, courtesy of some smooth-talking Romeo or some cute-looking “innocent” little thang.