Investigators Fume Over Berghain Poisoning Incident: "Fuming We Didn't Catch the Perpetrator"
Grotesque Tale: Danger Lurks Within the Clubs of Berlin - Afirsthand Account from LCavaliero Mann
Straight outta a horror flick, it's a bloody scary tale: Unsuspecting souls at clubs in Berlin get their drinks or bodies tampered with by creepy strangers. Clubs like Berghain aren't exceptions—others have tales to tell too. Few speak up with their real names. Now, LCavaliero Mann, long-time creative director of SchwuZ and the mastermind behind SO36's "Hi Bossi!" party series, is one of them.
So, LCavaliero, you posted about being knocked unconscious at Berghain on social media. In hindsight, you believe someone slipped you something. Can you recount the events that led to your fainting spell?
"I hit up Italorama in Berghain's Panoramabar with mates on Friday. Around 2 a.m., I decided to have a margarita. I waited at the bar to pay, and a strange fella tried to chat me up. For a moment, I took my eyes off my drink—probably when it happened. He bolted soon after. After drinking it, I felt queasy real quick, then fell unconscious for several minutes."
Humboldt UniversityYou mentioned being "spiked," but isn't it important to distinguish "spiking" via needle from drink tampering?
"That's a solid question. As I understand it, in the US, 'spiking' refers to secretly putting illegal substances into drinks to knock someone out. The injection version, where needles play a part, is spiking by another name. Since attacks are usually secret, and substances are often odorless and tasteless, one could easily call it poisoning."
How did the Berghain team respond? Seemed prepared or overwhelmed?
Berghain's crew showed genuine concern and pro care. When I woke up, they whisked me off to the chill-out room, checked in on me, and later offered a call to the fuzz. Their security even tried to track down the suspect, alas—no cigar. It looked like they had procedures for these situations and moved swiftly."
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How are you feeling now? Have you figured out what hit you, and do you know if it's been tested?
When I came to, I was hosed down with sweat, had to hurl a few times, and had some major muscle shakes. Sadly, I don't know what exactly it was. Physically, I'm mostly back to normal, but I spent the following three days catching Z's. I didn't visit a doc, but I've chatted up several others who've been through the same, gathering info that way. Emotionally, I've got a few more chapters to write before I process it fully. It was a huge invasion of privacy."
"Locations Need to Step Up and Take Responsibility"
You've already filed a report. How has it gone, what did the cops do?Since we couldn't catch the perp on the scene and couldn't file a direct complaint against him, I called the LSBTI police office. They kindly explained that filing a complaint against an unknown person is an option later on—either online or in person at a police station. You can swing by a police station to report or do it online, and it'll only take ten minutes. It was important for me to file a report so that even if I meet the perp again, I might identify them. Plus, it keeps the crime in the statistics. It's empowering to stand up for oneself."
You've got a storm of responses on social media. Numerous people shared similar experiences at different clubs. Could the issue be bigger than we think?I was taken aback when people messaged me about their own experiences, or warned me about friends who had been drugged. Some stories involved severe assaults, where individuals weren't always aware of what happened. These incidents took place in various bars, clubs, and event locations. The problem appears widespread!"
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Have Berlin clubs done enough to combat incidents like these?
Unfortunately, it seems they haven't. The issue hasn't been prioritized, and venues (not just clubs) generally don't have much awareness around the subject. It needs to be tackled more seriously. Locations should improve their game, take charge, and implement clear measures. This includes educating patrons about the dangers, posting warning signs at the bars, and offering guest-friendly services, even after events. It's never too late to make improvements."
LCavaliero Mann's ordeal revolves around the mentally disturbing incident of drink tampering at the health-and-wellness and general-news scenes, specifically within the clubs of Berlin.
He was at Berghain's Panoramabar when he experienced spiking, a process that secretly introduces illegal substances into drinks to compromise the victim's state.
The science of such intimidating acts is alarming, as the substances used are often odorless and tasteless, making them difficult to detect.
LCavaliero believes it is crucial for clubs, as a part of the education-and-self-development and personal-growth sectors, to prioritize mental-health matters and address this issue proactively.
