Concerns arise after a second Brooklyn Mirage patron goes missing. The NYPD has launched an investigation.
Update, Tuesday, August 1: Fox News has confirmed that the body discovered earlier today by the NYPD is, in fact, missing person John Castic. “They have found his body and confirmed it’s him,” his father, Jeffrey Castic, told Fox News Digital. “It appears to have been death by misadventure. His wallet and phone were found on him.” While a cause of death for Castic, and also Clemente, will not be known without an autopsy, they were both found with their possessions intact, making foul play seem unlikely. Patrons of NYC nightlife are nonetheless urged to use caution, travel in groups, and remain diligent before, during, and after events.
Update, Tuesday, August 1: The NYPD have pulled a body from the English Kill tributary of Newtown Creek while investigating the John Castic missing persons case, as reported by the New York Post. Officials have not yet identified the body which was found near 1100 Grand Street. This is near both Castic’s final location in the Find My Friends app and also near where the body of Karl Clemente was found about six weeks ago. This post will be updated as more information become available.
Previously: On Friday, July 28, John Castic left his friends at The Brooklyn Mirage after an event headlined by Zeds Dead to take an Uber home around 2:30am the following morning. A friend subsequently posted to r/Brooklyn on Reddit for help locating Castic. He described Castic as “6’1, slim build, brown hair, blue eyes and is 27 years old,” and provided the photos shared below.
The friend also noted that Castic’s last location on the Find My Friend app was 1131 Grand Street in Brooklyn, not far from the Mirage. Notably, this location is near where Karl Clemente‘s body was found after he went missing from Mirage about six weeks ago.
We want to emphasize that while two missing patrons and a shared location feels like an unsettling coincidence, as far as we know right now, it’s just that, a coincidence. Police first refused to treat the incident as a missing persons case since Castic is an adult with no mitigating circumstances. Later, however, the NYPD decided to open an investigation, officially declaring Castic a missing person at this time. Police are working with friends and family to uncover any leads, including requesting information from Uber to determine whether Castic’s ride ever took place.
Some have noted the recent prevalence of random drivers on foot near The Brooklyn Mirage’s exit saying they are Uber drivers ready to take patrons home. Visitors and locals in NYC should be aware that it is illegal for anyone other than a NYC Yellow Cab taxi to offer a ride outside of an app. Uber and other rideshare drivers are considered “pre-booked,” and no rideshare drivers can legally solicit a ride outside a venue, or anywhere else.
EDM Identity encourages partygoers to read up on some ways to stay safe before, during, and after music events. Both John Castic and Karl Clemente were left alone outside the venue. Nightlife patrons and festival attendees are reminded to look out for each other and travel in groups whenever possible.
If you have any information regarding the death of Karl Clemente, the NYPD encourages you to report this information using their Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 800-577-TIPS. Information can be reported anonymously, and cash rewards may be available for valid tips.
