These are the haunting final messages of a young man who was found dead in a New York City creek where two others were discovered.
Damani Alexander, 30, of Brooklyn, was found washed up in Newtown Creek in East Williamsburg on July 30 after he was last seen partying at the nightclub Knockdown Center in Maspeth, Queens, which borders the Brooklyn neighborhood, two days prior.
In a series of alarming text messages sent to an unidentified friend, Alexander expressed that he thought he was in danger while in the nightclub.
I think dudes trynna [sic] kill me, one message, shared with CBS News New York, read. Dudes waiting for me outside.
Soon after he sent those texts on July 28, he stopped responding, his friend told the outlet.
Alexanders body was found in the same place the bodies of Karl Clemente, 27, and Goldman Sachs analyst John Castic, also 27, and were found around a month apart in 2023.
Damani Alexander, 30, of Brooklyn, was found washed up in Newtown Creek in East Williamsburg on July 30 after he was last seen partying at the nightclub Knockdown Center in Maspeth, Queens, which borders the Brooklyn neighborhood, two days prior
In a series of alarming text messages sent to an unidentified friend, Alexander expressed that he thought he was in danger while in the nightclub
![I think dudes trynna [sic] kill me, one message read. Dudes waiting for me outside](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/02/18/90380213-13916925-image-a-26_1727890688857.jpg)
I think dudes trynna [sic] kill me, one message read. Dudes waiting for me outside
Both men were last seen near the famous Brooklyn Mirage, which is located near the creek. Both of their deaths were ruled as drowning, with Clementes said to be accidental while Castics was undetermined.
Police are still investigating Alexanders passing and the medical examiner has yet to make a ruling on his manner of death.
Alexanders mother, Desiree Nicholson, told CBS News New York that shes suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his death and is insistent there has to be foul play involved.
The first thing they said to me is that they found him floating in the water, but there is no foul play, theres no blunt trauma and there is no marks of violence, she told the outlet. So I said: "How can that be?" I mean, Damani is a person who knows how to swim.
She doesnt believe police are taking the case seriously, and neither does Alexanders cousin Bry Bernard.
The police can do a lot more in my opinion, he told DailyMail.com on Wednesday. With the responses we are getting from the police it is forcing my family to find another way to investigate his death. We do know for a fact he was murdered but we are not getting the answers on how and why.
I definitely think the police are either dragging their feet or they dont care enough to do a proper investigation.
Bernard insisted that Alexander was dead before his body was dropped off at the creek, as he had no water in his lungs and hes a great swimmer.
Since his death, the family has hired a private investigator to help find answers, but Bernard said that shouldnt deter the police to do their own investigation.
Alexanders was found around 12:15am on July 30 after someone called 911 for a water rescue and he was pronounced dead on the scene. It is unknown what happened between the last time he was seen on the 28th and found on the 30th.
He was found at the Newtown Creek (pictured) which borders Maspeth, Queens, and East Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Alexanders body was found in the same place the bodies of Karl Clemente, 27, and Goldman Sachs analyst John Castic , also 27, and were found around a month apart in 2023.
Police recovered his wallet, but not his phone, his mother noted to Pix 11, and he was found with no signs of trauma.
City Councilman Robert Holden is as suspicious as the mother, as he said three bodies turning up in the same place in similar manners is alarming.
You have one or two, yeah, but when you have three, now were seeing an alarming pattern, he told CBS News New York.
We need better lighting there, but should also, if were gonna open up clubs, we got to put up fencing so people just dont fall into the creek.
State Senator Julia Salazar also called for improved conditions near the industrial area, which is largely warehouses and nightclubs with badly lit streets and poor cell reception.
The least we can do is make it safer in general to be in the [industrial business zone] in the dark, Salazar said, according to Pix 11.
Nicholson remembers her boy as a lovable child who always had a smile.
Damani loved life, she told Pix 11.
Bernard told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that his fondest memories of the pair were growing up and just being kids.
[We would be] running up and down the stairs to my aunts apartment and the church downstairs, he recalled. Damani would play his drums and annoy his sister like any siblings would, you know.
The last time the cousins saw each other was at Kokomo NYC, a restaurant in Williamsburg, for a party last year. Before that, Alexander had visited Bernard in New Jersey after the latter and his twin brother had gotten their first apartment there.
That interaction was much longer and a lot more closer to my heart, Bernard told DailyMail.com.
Alexander and Bernards older brother stopped by before taking a trip to Florida and it had been the first time the cousins had seen each other in a while.
We showed them around, had some laughs while we caught up, Bernard, who considered Alexander to be a big brother to him, told DailyMail.com. It was good to see my two big brothers come and see my accomplishments before they went off on their trip down south.
Bernard described his cousin as a one of a kind guy who enjoyed life and tries to experience everything life has to offer.
And if he had to be remembered by anything, it would definitely be him wanting to be a light in someones life, Bernard said. Always there to be the life of the party even when there isnt one.
In a Facebook post, Bernard said growing up with Alexander was a vital part of who I am today.
Alexanders mother, Desiree Nicholson, said shes suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his death and is insistent there has to be foul play involved, despite police saying otherwise
The first thing they said to me is that they found him floating in the water, but there is no foul play, theres no blunt trauma and there is no marks of violence, his mother said. So I said: "How can that be?" I mean, Damani is a person who knows how to swim
Friend Deanna Mcalister posted a series of childhood photos of her and Alexander, writing that her heart is hurting soooo bad
Someone who introduced me to anime, exploring the neighborhood, family parties/bbqs, and just genuinely being kids. Ill never forget your smile Damani, he wrote in a heartbreaking post. I really do hope youre watching down on all of us. Were trying our best to get you justice D.
Friend Deanna Mcalister posted a series of childhood photos of her and Alexander, writing that her heart is hurting soooo bad.
Damani, you will be missed tremendously, she wrote in a Facebook post. I am not taking this pretty light, because we were sooo close only you and I know!!
She recalled all the playful fights she and him had that used to leave her so angry at him, before he came back hours later and ask me if Im done. She also recalled him pulling her cheeks, causing her to have to slap his hand or push him away.
I love you, Damani, and we shall meet again cus we’re going to fight, she concluded.
The family started a GoFundMe to help support the family through their time of grief.
[Alexander] was our guardian here on earth, and we know he will continue to watch over us as our guardian angel, Shay Dollaz wrote on the fundraiser.
The fundraiser has garnered $8,000 of its $25,000 goal.
DailyMail.com has reached out to friends and family for comment.
Four other bodies have also been found in Brooklyn Bridge Park, as of late September, with the latest washing up on Thursday, according to NBC New York.
The other three were found in August after police reported that they found bones in the same area after a woman spotted remains in the water and told a Parks employee.
Since several bodies have been found in Brooklyn waterways, many New Yorkers have begun to speculate that theres a Brooklyn serial killer - a theory the NYPD did not comment on when DailyMail.com reached out.
Whats going on in Brooklyn? one TikTok user questioned in a September video. We have an active serial killer in Brooklyn! Wheres the urgency?
He called for Mayor Eric Adams to speak out on the tragedies and address the situation.
Another TikToker advised her followers to be careful after the many deaths.
Im hearing theres a whole serial killer out in Brooklyn, she said. Yall be careful.
She feared the Williamsburg killings were close to the Queens border and it could spread to the other borough.