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Second Man Found Dead At Prominent Democratic Party Donor's Home In Less Than Two Years
In 2017, a man overdosed and died at Ed Buck's West Hollywood home. Now, a second man's death has sparked renewed police interest.
A man has been found dead at California Democratic Party donor Ed Buck’s house less than two years after another man died at his home and now law enforcement vows to investigate both deaths.
Deputies arrived at Buck’s West Hollywood residence at 1:05 a.m. Monday after receiving a report of a person not breathing. When officials arrived on the scene the unidentified man was pronounced dead. The cause of death will be determined by the coroner.
When releasing information about the mysterious death, law enforcement referenced the first man who died at Buck’s home.
"On July 27, 2017 there was a death investigation of a male adult, Gemmel Moore, who was determined to have overdosed at the same location. Mr. Edward Buck was present during both incidents," a statement by the Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives stated.
The department said the new investigation will include a review of the 2017 incident.
Buck has not been arrested or charged with any crime.
"From what I know, it was an old friend who died of an accidental overdose, and unfortunately, we believe that the substance was ingested at some place other than the apartment," Buck's attorney Seymour Amster told the Los Angeles Times. "The person came over intoxicated."
Buck’s lawyer has said in the past that Buck had nothing to do with Moore’s 2017 death. An autopsy report said Moore died of a methamphetamine overdose. He was found naked on a mattress in the living room with drug paraphernalia littered about.
Buck was never charged in connection with that incident.
Buck, a past candidate for the West Hollywood City Council, is known in LGBTQ political circles.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center put out a statement about the most recent death, stating:"While much is still to be learned, it appears this tragedy is linked to substance use. LGBT people and other marginalized groups are at elevated risk for impacts that result from the current epidemic uses of opioids, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs.”
They've called for a full investigation and added, “the fact is two black men have died at Mr. Buck’s home in less than two years.”
It's unclear where the center has received information about the unidentified man’s race.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[Photo: Getty Images]
