The final day of Electric Zoo, New York City's EDM festival, was canceled following two suspected drug-related deaths. Sgt. Lee Jones of the New York Police Department said Sunday that Jeffrey Russ, 24, of Rochester, New York, and Olivia Rotondo, 20, of Providence, Rhode Island, died of a suspected molly overdose while four more concert-goers were placed in intensive care. Ellen Borakove, spokeswoman for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, said that more information will be available late Sunday after autopsies are performed.
"The founders of Electric Zoo send our deepest condolences to the families of the two people who passed away this weekend," a statement read on the official EZoo website. "Because there is nothing more important to us than our patrons, we have decided in consultation with the New York City Parks Department that there will be no show today."
The cost of admission for the festival, which takes place on Randall's Island in the East River is $179. Festival organizers said it is currently drawing up plans for refunds. On the list of items not allowed at the festival include "illegal substances." Electric Zoo began in 2009 and is a three-day event that takes place from Friday to Sunday around Labor-Day weekend. Last year, more than 110,000 people attended the event. The statement on its website said that organizers have always tried to work with the NYPD when it comes to safety, and that organizers determined that the safest course of action following the deaths was cancellation of the remainer of the festival.
"The Electric Zoo organizers have worked with City officials to reduce health risks at this event, but in view of these occurrences, the safest course is to cancel the remaining day of the event."
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