Crime & Safety

New Details Released in the Apparent Overdose Death of Griffen Kramer

Heroin is believed to be the cause of teenager's death, in which 4 have been arrested, authorities say.

Four people were arrested Thursday in connection with the death of Griffen Kramer, 18, a backup quarterback for Thousand Oaks High School who may have died of a heroin overdose on Oct. 30, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

Three of the suspects were arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter: David Nernberg of Agoura Hills; Corey Baumann, 19, of Agoura Hills and a 17-year-old boy from Oak Park, who has not been identified because he is a minor, according to a Sheriff's Department statement.

Another 17-year-old boy from Agoura Hills was arrested and booked on a narcotics-related charge and was cited and released into the custody of his parents.

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In the hours leading to his death, Kramer reportedly was sitting in a cul-de-sac with Nernberg and taking heroin, a Los Angeles County sheriff's detective told the Ventura County Star on Friday.

According to the Star, Kramer, son of former NFL player Erik Kramer “shot up … [and] started foaming at the mouth while his friends watched, said homicide Detective Sgt. Barry Hall.

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Nernberg called his friends, asking what he should do as Kramer slipped into unconsciousness, Hall told the Star.

"Rather then seek medical attention, he took him to his house and let him sleep it off," Hall told the Star.

The initial investigation indicated Griffen had likely died from a heroin overdose, but a toxicology report is still pending, said Lt. John Corina.

Baumann faces additional charges of possession of heroin and cocaine with the intent to distribute.

Nernberg and Baumann were being held in lieu of $125,000 bail. No bail has been set for the 17-year-old from Oak Park who was being held in Sylmar Juvenile Hall.

The suspects were arrested at about 7 a.m. Thursday while deputies were serving warrants in search of information about Kramer's death.

In August, Kramer reportedly told the Star that he attended Agoura High as a freshman but spent part of his sophomore year in a rehab center for substance abuse.

He credited football for offering hope.

Kramer said, "If it wasn't for football, I might have fallen into the rabbit hole and not make it back out," according to the Star.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.


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