A New York woman who collapsed while celebrating her 35th birthday at an illegal Queens club was dragged 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 before she died
- Quinones’ sister claims workers fled the scene and locked the club’s door to prevent rescue workers from entering the scene immediately
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 she died.
Stephanie Quinones, 35, of Jackson Heights was reportedly celebrating her birthday at an unnamed nightclub on 49th Street in Astoria on July 31 when she suddenly passed out, her family said.
New footage circulated online and reviewed by the New York Post appears to show nightclub workers surrounding Quinones as she lies motionless on the floor.
With the disco’s lights still on, a man reaches over and punches Quinones, who has a 12-year-old daughter, several times in the face, but she is still left lifeless.
Several workers then lift the party-goer by her limbs while her body sags forward.
Stephanie Quinones, 35, of Jackson Heights was reportedly celebrating her birthday at an unnamed nightclub on 49th Street in Astoria on July 31 when she suddenly lost consciousness
A temporary memorial has been created in front of the club’s entrance, where well-wishers have left pictures, candles and balloons
A bartender at the club, which the State Liquor Authority says does not hold a liquor license, sent a picture of an unconscious Quinones to her mother in Florida and began texting her sister, Jasmine Gonzalez, who lives in the Bronx in The New York Post reported.
“Come and 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.
When she got to the club, she called 911, but it was too late. Gonzalez claims that club staff fled and locked her up, where she found out her sister was dead.
“I did compressions on a dead person,” Gonzalez told The Post.
“Everybody left me alone.” No one even had the decency to stay.’
Gonzalez also claims that the club’s staff had locked the building’s door when the ambulance came down the block.
“They all left because they didn’t want to be there when the police were called,” she said.
Quinones’ 12-year-old daughter Laurel (pictured) has since attended the memorial for her beloved mother
The venue (pictured) is believed to be an illegal nightclub and does not have an alcohol license, according to the State Liquor Authority
Quinones was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, her sister said.
The NYPD said it was investigating an individual who was pronounced dead on arrival at the club’s location that night, although he did not identify Quinones by name.
“Someone would still have their mother if they just called 911,” Gonzalez said.
“What pains me the most is that not only did they not call 911, it was cruel to let me go there which gave me hope that she was still alive.”
Quinones’ 12-year-old daughter has visited the makeshift memorial erected in front of the club’s entrance.
The young girl was pictured alongside two police officers while well-wishers left balloons and candles.
Family friend and activist Talea Wufka has posted videos on social media calling for a full investigation into Quinones’ death.
“If it’s an illegal facility, that’s the bottom line,” Wufka said.
“They didn’t want police, they didn’t want an ambulance because they didn’t want their illegal activities exposed.”
Her sister started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Quinones’ funeral and for her daughter Laurel, and has since raised nearly $25,000.