Overdose victim’s family sues Venetian

Greg Tuttle

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000 | 11:14 a.m.

The family of a 21-year-old woman who died of a drug overdose after a night of partying at the Venetian's Club C2K has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hotel-casino.

The lawsuit filed this morning in Clark County District Court alleges the Venetian hotel-casino had an obligation to provide a safe environment for patrons of the club, but failed that responsibility despite having locked the doors in late August.

Danielle Heird died from an overdose of the drug Ecstasy on July 20 after a night of partying at Club C2K. An investigation by Metro Police determined Heird had taken the drug before she went into the club and voluntarily took the drug again once inside. No criminal charges have been filed.

But Heird's family contends in the lawsuit the Venetian and the owners of Club C2K created a drug-friendly environment for patrons, even profiting on drug use by increasing the cost of bottled water, according to Las Vegas attorney E. Brent Bryson, who represents Heird's family.

Bryson described Club C2K, which opened in October 1999, as a "haven for Ecstasy users" by both patrons and employees. It was not uncommon for patrons to be passed out at tables or on the dance floor from drug use, Bryson said.

Ecstacy is similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and produces a euphoric feeling by users. But users also may experience a rise in body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure along with dehydration.

Bryson contends the owners of the club knew of the drug's use and profited from it by raising the price of bottled water and stocking an energy drink.

The club is owned by David Horowitz, the brother of successful Internet businessman Russell Horowitz. Club C2K is operated by H & H of Nevada, which signed a 20-year, $5 million contract with David Horowitz last year then leased the space from the Venetian.

David Horowitz, H & H of Nevada and a company owned by Horowitz, Silver Hammer of Nevada also are named as defendants in the lawsuit. Two people who allegedly sold Heird drugs and then escorted her from the club to an apartment where she later died, Daniel Beall and David Hornsby, also are named in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Heird's father, mother and sister and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.

Horowitz and the Venetian are locked in a legal battle after executives of the hotel-casino shut down the club Aug. 30. Horowitz filed a lawsuit against the Venetian claiming its actions were illegal.

During hearings last month in that lawsuit, Venetian attorney Stephen Peek said the hotel-casino shut down the club after learning of drug use inside the establishment. Gratuitous and anonymous sex also was encouraged inside the club, according to Peek, who could not be reached for comment this morning on the new lawsuit.

Club C2K attorney John Curtas said at the previous hearings the allegations of drug use and gratuitous sex were a smoke screen for what was really a property case dispute. Following the hearing, a settlement was reached with the Venetian, and the previous owners have now bowed out of the operation of the club. Curtas also did not return a call seeking comment this morning on the new lawsuit.

Bryson, the Heird's attorney, said both companies had a responsibility to stop the illegal and dangerous activity inside the club that eventually led to the loss of a young woman's life.

"In essence what they did was allow to manifest an inherently dangerous situation," Bryson said. "The Venetian was aware that there were problems with security and use of illegal drugs at C2K and I believe as owner of the property had final say."