3 dead, 1 critical after apparent overdose in New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE - The brother of one of the victims who died after an apparent fentanyl overdose over the weekend joined friends and family members at a vigil Monday. 

Danny Howard, 49, was identified as one of three men who died Saturday afternoon. 

"I don't know what to think. It just happens, that was my little brother," said Brian Howard, Danny’s brother. 

Three people are dead, and another is in critical condition, following the apparent overdose, police said. (FNTV)

Brian signed a poster where family and friends left their condolences and memories of those who died. 

He told FOX 5 New York that his brother was funny and outgoing, and had a good heart. 

"He was a good brother, a good father, a friend, everybody loved him, respected him. Tragedy happens," Brian said. 

The family of Danny has set up a GoFundMe page to raise $10,000 for his funeral. 

Three people are dead, and another is in critical condition, following the apparent overdose, police said. (FNTV)

Throughout the day, neighbors stopped by the memorial to pay their respects, as did a cousin of victim Carl Encarnacion. 

He lit a candle to mourn his family's loss of "a beautiful guy, a beautiful father, hard worker, beautiful cousin, beautiful brother, loved his mother."

Three people are dead, and another is in critical condition, following the apparent overdose, police said. (FNTV)

Investigators said the alleged drug use happened behind an apartment building at 50 Fountain Place in New Rochelle Saturday.  Police received a call at around 2:45 p.m. from a man who said he was possibly overdosing, and that he was with three others who were also overdosing and unresponsive

When officers arrived, they found the caller, as well as the three other unresponsive men, in a storage room at the location.

The caller was transported to a hospital. The three other men were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

There is an active investigation going on into this incident, and New Rochelle police are asking anyone with information to call them at 914-654-2300. 

In New Jersey, the Bergen County Prosecutor announced last week that two arrests were made in the case involving five women who overdosed on fentanyl in the parking lot of the Shops at Riverside Mall.

Michelle Kerry Edoo, 29, died. The other four survived thanks to the overdose reversing medicine Narcan. 

According to New Jersey medical examiners, fentanyl overdoses and deaths are skyrocketing. 

A decade ago, 42 of the more than 1,200 overdoses in New Jersey were connected to fentanyl. As of 2019, 75% of drug deaths in the state were caused by the deadly and dangerous drug.

"Across the country, it's been found in every type of drug on the street," said Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. "You have to assume that any drug, whether powder pill or vegetation, that is bought on the street or that is shared on the street contains fetanyl, and it can kill you."

There is a recovery and support hotline that you can call or text 24/7. That number is (201) 589-2976. There’s also a website.