New Hyde Park family calls for suspected dealer to be charged with murder in son's overdose

After losing their son to a drug overdose during the holiday season, a New Hyde Park couple is calling on the suspected drug dealer who allegedly sold their 18-year-old fentanyl-laced heroin to be charged with murder.

News 12 Staff

Feb 21, 2020, 10:16 PM

Updated 1,526 days ago

Share:

After losing their son to a drug overdose during the holiday season, a New Hyde Park couple is calling on the suspected drug dealer who allegedly sold their 18-year-old fentanyl-laced heroin to be charged with murder.
Denise and Branko Rakamaric are still coming to terms over the death of their son Nicolas, a talented singer. He died from a fatal drug overdose on Dec. 3.
"Nick didn't deserve to die, he was a good boy," says Denise Rakamaric. "(I) absolutely had no idea. It was, I believe, something that was newly introduced to him."
Nick's father discovered his son's lifeless body in his bedroom. He was supposed to start a new job that same day.
"I was like ... didn't know what to do," says Branko Rakamaric. "I was shaking him, saying 'Wake up, wake up.'"
Police at the scene say they discovered a drug package under his bed. Nick's father says the substance that was found was tested and came back as pure fentanyl with a trace of heroin.
On that same day, Nassau police were able to track down the alleged drug dealer through Nick's phone. Denise Rakamaric says police posed as her son and arranged a meetup with Damiean Johnson, of Queens. He was arrested and charged with criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance.
"When they did arrest him, they found the identical packaging of what was found in my son's bed," says Denise Rakamaric.
Nicolas' parents say because of the new bail reform law, Johnson has been walking free while awaiting trial. They're calling on the Nassau District Attorney's Office to charge him with murder.
"They shouldn't be out on the street, poisoning and killing our children," says Denise Rakamaric. "So we need to really fight for stiffer penalties. It should be murder."
The DA's office told News 12 it couldn't comment on an ongoing investigation.
Johnson is due back in court next Friday. The family is planning to be there and rally to advocate for Nick's life.
 


More from News 12
1:55
Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

2:03
Home Depot customers weigh in on recent stretch of bad encounters

Home Depot customers weigh in on recent stretch of bad encounters

1:46
Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

2:13
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

0:56
Bronx nature-lovers celebrate arrival of cherry blossoms

Bronx nature-lovers celebrate arrival of cherry blossoms

0:30
Coney Island named a top 25 U.S. beach in Travel + Leisure

Coney Island named a top 25 U.S. beach in Travel + Leisure

1:46
NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

1:43
See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

1:59
6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

0:29
Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

1:55
Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

0:24
Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

2:03
Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

1:34
MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:30
Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

1:35
NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

2:02
Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

0:05
Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100