Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bath Salt-Derivative Eyed In Electric Zoo Deaths
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Sep 12, 2013
Modified Sep 12, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
DEA
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Sep 12, 2013
Modified Sep 12, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Toxicology reports are still pending in the deaths of two Electric Zoo attendees last month, but authorities are now looking at the possibility that the fatalities were caused by a chemical akin to bath salts, not overdoses of molly (slang for MDMA). The Post reports that 20-year-old Staten Island resident Matthew Rybarczyk died in June after ingesting what he believed was molly at a party on Governors Island, but turned out to be methylone, a chemical that can produce effects similar to MDMA but is often toxic.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan says the city is seeing a "proliferation" of methylone being sold on the black market.
Though bath salts are outlawed in New York State, methylone is not covered under the ban, though it is federally classified as a Schedule 1 drug.
"We urgently need a law that would allow us to prosecute the sale of this deadly substance," Brennan said. That law was passed this last legislative session, and is expected to be signed by Governor Cuomo soon.
“Kids think ‘Molly’ is a pure, safe ecstasy, but it’s not,” a DEA agent tells the tabloid. “It’s not pure, it’s not safe and it’s not even ecstasy.” Testing kits are being sold to help determine the veracity of your drug dealer's claims.
Tagged
bath salts
dea
drugs
electric zoo
mdma
Molly
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .