Heartless trolls attack aspiring DJ Anthony Maugeri after he died from a suspected drug overdose at music festival: ‘Beneath contempt’
Vicious trolls have been called out for targeting an aspiring DJ after he died of a suspected drug overdose at a weekend music festival.
Antony Maugeri, 20, was airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital from the Pitch music festival near Ararat in Victoria’s south-west about 1am on Sunday.
The rising DJ was one of three men rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected drug overdose during the five-day festival.
Mr Maugeri, from Melbourne, died shortly after being admitted to hospital.
AFL commentator Rohan Connolly has since lashed out at cruel trolls who criticized Mr Maugeri’s decision to allegedly take drugs at the event.
“God, this is sad. What a tragic waste of a young life, RIP to Antony and all who knew and loved him. As for some of the ‘heroes’ posting comments under @gillianlant’s post, you are beneath me,” he wrote on X.
Mr Maugeri, who was passionate about music, was chastised by some netizens who claimed he ‘should know better’.
Antony Maugeri, 20, died of a suspected drug overdose at the Pitch Music Festival on Sunday
AFL commentator Rohan Connolly has since lashed out at cruel trolls who criticized Mr Maugeri’s decision to allegedly take drugs at the event (pictured)
Organizers canceled the five-day festival due to extreme fire danger and heat waves
‘It seems like he’s a very intelligent man, and he should know better! Bad luck, bad choice…’ one man wrote on X.
“Bad choices,” a second commented.
A third shared: ‘Very simple: if you don’t do drugs, they won’t kill you!’
Maugeri’s death has led to renewed calls from the Victorian Greens to urgently introduce pill testing at music festivals.
The Greens have called on Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to ‘step up a gear and finally introduce pill testing’ to prevent further overdose deaths at events.
“How many more (suspected) overdoses need to happen in Victoria before the new Prime Minister steps up a gear and finally organizes pill testing in Victoria?” Aiv Puglielli, spokesperson for the Greens against drug harm, said this on Monday.
“As this Labor government continues to stagnate, young Victorian lives are being put at risk. Even with pure MDMA, we’ve seen how extreme heat can deliver a deadly blow. With untested drugs in circulation, this was truly a disaster waiting to happen.”
The festival went ahead on Saturday evening with an adjusted schedule, despite warnings from the Country Fire Authority on the day and prior to the event.
It was canceled on Sunday afternoon as organizers cited dangerous heatwave conditions and extreme fire danger, and thousands had to leave on Monday.
However, many did not understand the message due to poor reception in the area.
Maugeri’s death has led to renewed calls from the Victorian Greens to urgently introduce pill testing at music festivals.
Mr Maugeri’s best friend (right) remembered the aspiring DJ (left) as ‘the most loyal and caring human being’ in a heartbreaking social media post
Pitch Festival organizers acknowledged Mr Maugeri’s death on Sunday evening, saying on Instagram that they were “deeply saddened” by the news.
“We are devastated that this has occurred at an event where the community has been a driving force for the past seven years,” the message said.
‘We understand that the timing of this news will be worrying for festival goers who are currently leaving the event safely.’
Mr Maugeri’s best friend remembered the aspiring DJ as “the most loyal and caring human being” in a heartbreaking social media post.
“Losing your best friend is something I never thought I would have to prepare for,” he wrote on Facebook.
“It’s going to be hard to open my phone and not get a text from you every day, but I know you’ll be watching from above for me (and) my family and the rest of our friend group.
“I am grateful for all the memories we have made over the years and I will cherish them forever.”
The festival, which started on Friday, was scheduled to continue until Tuesday.
The heat wave was upgraded from severe to extreme on Sunday and continues to affect the region. Authorities warn that the conditions could worsen the health effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy).
Revelers were warned that a heatwave hitting the region (pictured) could worsen the negative effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy)
The heat’s toll on partygoers became clear earlier this year at Melbourne’s Hardmission festival, where eight partygoers were hospitalized after overdosing.
Ticket prices for the event ranged from $449 for a two-day pass to $499 for a four-day pass. An additional fee was paid for camping and car passes.
It remains unclear whether attendees will be refunded for the canceled event. Organizers will issue a brief statement on Sunday.
“We appreciate your patience as we process this,” it said.
‘Ticket holders will receive an update as soon as more information becomes available.
“Our top priority right now is to get everyone home safely.”