Comedian Fuquan Johnson @Fuquan Johnson and two others died after reportedly overdosing on cocaine laced with fentanyl at a home in Venice Saturday, while comedian and model Kate Quigley was in critical condition, according to multiple reports Sunday.
The third person has not yet been identified.
A fourth, identified by TMZ as comedian and model Kate Quigley, is reportedly in hospital.
Investigators believe Johnson, Quigley, and the two others consumed cocaine that had been laced with fentanyl.
AUTOPSIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
Investigators will be conducting autopsies on Johnson and the other two dead partygoers in the coming days to determine a specific cause of death.
Preliminary evidence suggests they consumed cocaine that had been laced with fentanyl, which is a powerful synthetic opioid that is several times more potent than heroin.
WHAT WAS FUQUAN JOHNSON KNOWN FOR?
Fuquan Johnson, 42, was a staple on the LA comedy circuit and had been performing for more than 10 years before his death.
He also appeared on the TRUTV’s Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks as well as All Def Digital’s website in several web series, some of which he wrote.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Authorities believe that Fuquan Johnson, Kate Quigley, and two others consumed cocaine that had been laced with fentanyl at a party on Friday night.
All four were reportedly unresponsive or already dead when police arrived on the scene.
Johnson and the two others, one of whom has been named by friends as EnRico Coangeli, died while Quigley was hospitalized in critical condition.
ANOTHER COMIC IDENTIFIED AS VICTIM
According to a social media post from the Ha Ha Comedy Club, another one of the victims of the suspected fatal overdoses was comic EnRico Coangeli.
FUQUAN JOHNSON'S CHILLING LAST TWEET
Fuquan Johnson said he was "so high" in a chilling tweet just hours before he died of a suspected drug overdose.
"I’m so HIGH I just TRIED to SHAMPOO my body," the comic wrote in the Thursday tweet.
Investigators believe Johnson, model Kate Quigley, and the two unnamed dead partygoers consumed cocaine that had been laced with fentanyl.
OVERDOSE DEATHS UP DURING THE PANDEMIC
An estimated record high of 93,331 Americans died of overdoses last year, according to statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The startling figure represented the sharpest annual increase in overdose deaths in at least three decades, with deaths up 30 percent on the estimated 72,151 recorded in 2019.
Data shows that the surge in deaths in 2020 was driven largely by the proliferation of fentanyl.
WHO SUPPLIED THE DRUGS?
Police have not yet given an update on who they believe supplied the drugs to Fuquan Johnson and the other deceased people.
The comedian and two others died, reportedly from ingesting fentanyl-laced cocaine. Kate Quigley was hospitalized in critical condition.
It's also unclear if anyone else who was at the party was affected.
WILL DEATHS BE INVESTIGATED AS HOMICIDES?
It's unclear at this time if the deaths, which authorities believe were caused by ingesting cocaine laced with fentanyl, will be investigated as homicides.
LAPD's homicide unit has reportedly been notified about the tragic situation.
It's not clear at this time if they will be involved in the investigation, though.
COMEDIAN WAS 'ONE OF A KIND'
Fellow comedian Chinedu Unaka took to his Instagram stories to mourn Johnson on Saturday.
"FU was one of a kind, from his raspy voice to his take it or leave it personality," he wrote.
"The comedy community is going to miss you."
JOHNSON & QUIGLEY WERE FRIENDS IN THE LA COMEDY SCENE
Johnson and Quigley are known to be friends. They've regularly been photographed together over the last few years.
Johnson is renowned among the LA comedy scene where he'd been performing for more than a decade prior to his death.
He also appeared on the TRUTV’s Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks as well as All Def Digital’s website in several web series, some of which he wrote.
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR FUQUAN JOHNSON
The comedian's Instagram page began filling up with comments and love after news of his death broke.
Actor Page Kennedy wrote a touching tribute on Saturday.
"Life is so short. It leaves quick as a fall. Without notice. Without time to say good bye or i love you. I implore you to tell the people you love that you love them.
"@mybadfuu i told you this already so i know you know. I love you brother and will miss you. Thank you for the laughs. Thank you for always being there when i call you and need you.
"Rest well my bro and leave those angels alone up there bro, or at least save some for me."
