A New York woman who collapsed celebrating her 35th birthday at an illegal club in Queens was taken back to her room by workers – where she died hours later
- Stephanie Quinones, 35, of Jackson Heights collapsed and was allegedly dragged by workers to a back room where she was left for hours until her death
- Quinones’ sister claims workers fled the scene and locked the club’s door, preventing emergency services from immediately entering the scene
A New York woman who died after partying at an illegal Queens nightclub was reportedly dragged by workers to a back room where she was left for hours until her death.
Stephanie Quinones, 35, of Jackson Heights was reportedly celebrating her birthday at the unnamed 49th Street nightclub in Astoria on July 31 when she suddenly passed out, her family said.
New images, released online and commented by the New York Postappears to show nightclub workers surrounding Quinones as she lies unresponsive on the floor.
As the disco lights still blare, a man reaches out and slaps Quinones, who has a 12-year-old daughter, in the face several times, but she is still lifeless.
Several workers then grab the party girl by the limbs as her body slumps forward.
Stephanie Quinones, 35, of Jackson Heights was reportedly celebrating her birthday at the unnamed nightclub on 49th Street in Astoria on July 31 when she suddenly passed out.
A makeshift memorial that has sprung up outside the club’s entrance where well-wishers left photos, candles and balloons
A bartender at the club, who does not have a liquor license according to the State Liquor Authority, sent a photo of an unconscious Quinones to her mother in Florida and began texting her sister, Jasmine Gonzalez, who lives in the Bronx. York Post reported.
“Come get your drunk sister,” Gonzalez told the Post, the bartender said.
Gonzalez, who says she was unaware of the seriousness of the situation, arrived two hours later.
Upon arriving at the club, she called 911 but it was too late. Gonzalez alleges that club employees fled and locked her inside where she discovered her sister was dead.
“I was doing cuts on a deceased person,” Gonzalez told the Post.
“Everyone left me alone. No one even had the decency to stay.
Gonzalez also claims that by the time the ambulance arrived at the block, club employees had locked the door to the building.
“They all left because they didn’t want to be there when the cops were called,” she said.
Quinones’ 12-year-old daughter Laurel (pictured) has since visited the memorial left to her beloved mother
The venue (pictured) is believed to be an illegal nightclub and does not hold a liquor license according to the State Liquor Authority
Quinones was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, her sister said.
The NYPD said it was investigating a person who was pronounced dead upon arriving at the club’s location that night, although it did not identify Quinones by name.
“Someone would still have their mom if they called 911,” Gonzalez said.
“What hurts me the most is that not only did they not call 911, but it was cruel to make me go there, giving me hope that she was alive.”
Quinones’ 12-year-old daughter visited the makeshift memorial that has popped up outside the club’s entrance.
The girl was pictured alongside two police officers as well-wishers left balloons and candles.
Family friend and activist Talea Wufka posted videos on social media calling for a full investigation into Quinones’ death.
“If it’s an illegal establishment, that’s the end result,” Wufka said.
“They didn’t want police, they didn’t want ambulances, because they didn’t want their illegal activities exposed.”
A GoFundMe page to raise money for Quinones’ funeral and for her daughter Laurel was created by her sister and has since raised nearly $25,000.
