18-year-old who died at the hospital after ingesting "Molly" at The Rave is identified
MILWAUKEE -- Officials with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office have identified an 18-year-old woman who died at the hospital after reportedly ingesting "Molly" at The Rave on W. Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee.
The victim has been identified as Kara Starr of Minooka, Illinois. Starr was pronounced dead at Aurora Sinai Hospital early on Sunday morning, May 1st. An autopsy was performed on Monday.
Surveillance video from the Quick Pick Food Mart on Wisconsin Avenue captured the urgent scene as it unfolded. At 2:23 a.m. Sunday, an emergency vehicle pulled up to The Rave after receiving a 911 call for an unresponsive girl. At 2:29 a.m., a second emergency vehicle arrives. 18 minutes later, they pull away.
Starr was at The Rave for the Zomboy concert -- an electronic music DJ on an 18-city tour.
According to the medical examiner's report, Starr tested positive for amphetamines and cannabinoids at the hospital. The report indicates Starr had been seizing at The Rave. An EMT who worked at The Rave told officials Starr had been talking prior to the arrival of Milwaukee Fire Department officials at The Rave. She indicated that she was at The Rave with her 17-year-old boyfriend, and that she had taken ".4 of Molly" -- a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception.
John Bohn, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
"You're playing Russian roulette with what you're putting in your body. You have no idea what that substance is going to be," said John Bohn, assistant special agent in charge with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
Trueman McGee
Trueman McGee lives near The Rave. He says on show nights, the intersection near The Rave is packed.
"Oh yeah, it's hundreds of people outside walking, you know," McGee said.
McGee said what happened at The Rave is tragic. But he said he sees this type of activity happening all over.
"Everywhere. Unfortunately this culture now is with the drugs and everything. It can be a house party. It can be at school. It can be anywhere. So hopefully kids just learn from this incident and be smart about who they're dealing with or what they're taking," McGee said.
The Rave/Eagles Club
The Rave has issued a statement on this matter. It reads as follows:
"On Saturday night/early Sunday morning our staff was made aware of a problem with an 18-year-old female patron. We took immediate action to assess her condition under the supervision of a medical professional. Her boyfriend informed us that drugs were purchased and ingested before the woman and her boyfriend arrived at the venue. After undergoing observation, 911 was contacted and the woman was transported to the hospital. The Rave/Eagles Club takes every precaution to ensure that our patrons enjoy our shows in a safe environment.
"We extend our sincere condolences to her family and friends."
The preliminary manner of death in this case has been ruled an accident.