Merriweather Post block party: Cops say ‘Molly’ likely at fault; 2nd death at traveling dope show

Second concertgoer
dies from suspected drug overdose

COLUMBIA MD.  Why is it cool for young people to use drugs at concerts and in the process take a chance at committing suicide?

That is a question that many parents are going to be asking as police report that a 17-year-old male from Woodbridge, Va., has died at Howard County General Hospital (HCGH) as a result of a suspected drug overdose. He was transported from Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia Friday night during the “Mad Decent Block Party” music festival. Upon the family’s request, the teen’s name is not being publicly released.

The teen is the second patient to die from a suspected overdose at the event. A 20-year-old Raleigh, N.C., man, Tyler Fox Viscardi, was transported to HCGH Friday evening, where he was pronounced dead. Police do not believe the two young men knew one another. Approximately 20 other people were taken to the hospital, many with drug-related symptoms. All were treated and released.

After investigation, police believe the drug most commonly used at the event was MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), popularly known as ecstasy or, more recently, as Molly. MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to stimulants and hallucinogens, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It can cause increases in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

Police will await autopsy and toxicology results from the medical examiner’s office to confirm the exact cause of death. No additional information is available at this time.

50 alcohol citations issued, three arrests; overdose death

COLUMBIA, MD. 08/03/2014— Howard County police have confirmed the death of a concertgoer who attended the all-day Mad Decent Block Party at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia yesterday.

Tyler Fox Viscardi, 20, of Raleigh, N.C., was transported by the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services just after 9 p.m. He was pronounced dead a short time after arriving at Howard County General Hospital. Preliminarily, it appears his death was the result of a drug overdose. Officials are still
working to determine what type of drugs were in his system.

Fire department personnel also transported a 17-year-old male from Woodbridge, Va., who appeared to be suffering from an overdose. He is currently in critical condition at the same hospital. It does not appear that the two young men knew one another.

In total, 20 people were taken to the hospital during the event. It appears many of the cases were drug-related. Officials are still working to determine what types of drugs patients may have been using.

Members of the police department’s alcohol enforcement unit issued 50 citations for under age drinking during the event. Officers also made three arrests, one for assault on a police officer, another for domestic assault, and a third for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The Mad Decent Block Party is a music festival that travels throughout the country. Investigators have learned that other venues have seen similar circumstances at these events.

As the summer concert season continues, police are urging concertgoers to attend shows safely and not to engage in illegal activities such as drug use and under age drinking. Shows are regularly staffed with police, both uniformed and undercover, to deter and identify illegal activity.

HERE IS THEIR LISTING OF SHOWS…Attention parents: follow the trail of overdose deaths and arrests from city to city…

Upcoming events

• Trippy Turtle

  Aug 06, 2014

• Trippy Turtle w/ Wave Racer

  Aug 07, 2014

• Mad Decent Block Party 2014 | Philadelphia

  Aug 08, 2014

• Zeds Dead

  Aug 08, 2014

• Trippy Turtle

  Aug 08, 2014