Soft Moon Singer, Popular LA DJ Among 3 Found Dead In Downtown Loft

LOS ANGELES, CA — Three people who died in a Downtown Los Angeles loft from suspected fentanyl overdoses last week were idenitied Monday by authorities and their loved ones. Among the dead were well-known artists in the local music scene.

Jose "Luis" Vasquez, 44, singer and founding member of the post-punk band Soft Moon was found dead Thursday along with John "Juan" Mendez, a 46-year-old popular LA DJ known as "Silent Servant" and his partner Simone Ling, 43, according to multiple reports. They were found when Vasquez's wife called police to conduct a welfare check, according to the Los Angeles Times. The three were found at Mendez's and Ling's residence at the Pacific Electric Lofts on Main Street.

Vasquez's wife announced his death to fans on the band's Facebook page.

"My beautiful husband Luis, the light of my life, has gone. I do not have the strength to tell you about the million reasons why I love him. Everything hurts. I came here to thank you for the love and support you are showing us," she wrote. "I am not able to write much more. I just wanted you to know how much he cared about all of you."

Vasquez performed globally and at last year's Cruel World alternative music festival in Pasadena. The Soft Moon's first album was released in 2010 and the band opened for such bands as Interpol and Mogwai.

Mendez, who grew up in Orange County, was a techno DJ producer and member of the influential techno collective Sandwell District.

The cause of their deaths has been listed as "deferred" by the medical examiner's office.

"It's so sad for their families," Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Raul Jovel of the Central Division told The Times. "This is a societal issue."

Jovel said that on some days the division investigates five overdose deaths, and last year officers seized 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 30 pounds of fentanyl.

LAPD Central Bureau homicide is investigating, according to Jovel. It may take three to six months before the final causes of death are determined.

There are steps families can take to reduce the risk of fatal fentanyl-related overdoses, according to the Los Angeles County Public Department of Health.

1. Have Narcan or Naloxone on hand. It can be purchased without a prescription at California pharmacies.
2. Avoid purchasing drugs from unreliable sources. Drugs from strangers or purchased online pose a significant risk of being contaminated with life-threatening substances.
3. Never use drugs alone. Have a trusted person present as a safeguard in case of overdose. Anyone using drugs alone can call Never Use Alone at 1-800-484-3731 and an operator will remain on the line and will call emergency services if the user stops responding.
4. Test drugs before using them. Fentanyl test strips identify contaminated drugs. Although such test strips aren't 100 percent reliable, they can save lives if used correctly. You can purchase them affordably online at: BTNX, Dose Test, Dance Safe, Wisebatch, or TACO.
5. Know the signs of an opioid overdose:

• Stupor or altered mental state
• Loss of consciousness
• Slowed or erratic heart rate
• Respiratory depression or failure
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pinpoint pupils
• Skin color changes
• Seizures
• Cold and clammy skin
• Muscle Spasms

City News Service contributed to this report.