Los Angeles, CA — A tragic end has befallen Dane Brown, a 43-year-old man who previously survived two drug overdoses allegedly connected to former Democratic donor Ed Buck. Brown, who was set to face Buck in a civil trial next year, was discovered deceased on a sidewalk in South Los Angeles last Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The examiner has deferred the cause of death pending further investigation.
Jasmyne Cannick, an attorney and friend of Brown, expressed her sorrow on social media platform X, highlighting the lasting impact of Buck’s alleged actions. “Dane’s death is part of the unseen consequences of Ed Buck’s actions,” Cannick posted. “No one should be found dead on a sidewalk, and Dane didn’t deserve that ending.”
Brown’s lawsuit against Buck, which accuses him of sexual battery, assault, human trafficking, and other serious charges, was scheduled for trial in February. The allegations stem from a series of encounters that began in June 2019, when Buck reportedly used a ride-hailing service to transport Brown from a hotel in Skid Row to his West Hollywood apartment.
During his visits, Brown claimed that Buck provided him with methamphetamine to smoke and inject. On two occasions in September 2019, these sessions led to Brown overdosing and requiring hospitalization, his lawsuit alleges. During the second overdose, Brown also ingested gamma hydroxybutyrate, commonly known as the “date rape” drug, which further endangered his life. According to the lawsuit, Buck refused to seek medical help, forcing Brown to seek assistance elsewhere.
Brown’s experiences and testimony were pivotal in the 2021 trial that resulted in Buck’s conviction on multiple charges, including two counts of distributing methamphetamine resulting in death. Buck, 70, who had donated over $500,000 to various political causes and candidates affiliated with the Democratic Party, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in April 2022.
Cannick reflected on Brown’s crucial role in the pursuit of justice against Buck. “Without Dane’s bravery, I don’t know if Ed Buck would have ever been arrested or prosecuted,” she said. “Dane’s survival and his decision to come forward shone a light on the horrors that had been happening in silence.”
This case sheds light not only on the alleged criminal activities of a prominent political donor but also on the larger issues of drug abuse, exploitation, and the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities. Brown’s untimely death, occurring amid his fight for justice, underscores the severe and often overlooked consequences of such exploitation.
The upcoming trial, though now marked by this somber event, promises to further explore the depth of Buck’s alleged crimes and the systemic issues that allowed them to go unchecked for so long. As the community and Brown’s friends and family mourn his loss, the fight for justice and accountability continues, with the hope that such tragedies can be prevented in the future.