Second incident in 2017
Chicago police are investigating the death of a man found in one of the rentable rooms at Steamworks Chicago; a popular bathhouse located on the city’s north side.
Windy City cops responded to a call about an unresponsive man on the premises around 5 o’clock this morning, per Chicago police spokesman Jose Estrada.
Once paramedics arrived, the person was transported to nearby Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Sometime later, he was officially pronounced deceased.
The cause of death has yet to be determined. North side detectives are conducting an official investigation and collecting evidence.
A police source said the man was found in (or near) room 308 of the tri-level bath house facility.
Evidence of GHB drug use was also found, according to the same police source and reported by a local crime blog, CWB. Gay Pop Buzz reached out to Steamworks for a comment but has yet to receive a response.
The incident marks the second time in 2017 that someone unresponsive has been found at this facility. The first one happened back in January when a 36-year suburban man was discovered in the large jacuzzi, located on the first floor (See our January post).
Steamworks operates a chain of clubs in different cities, including Toronto, Seattle, Berkley, California, and Vancouver, Canada.
The bathhouse does have a very strict zero tolerance drug/alcohol policy and mentions this in various places around the club. It’s also published on their website.
GHB (Gamma hydroxy butyrate or Gamma hydroxybutyric acid, Sodium Oxybate) is a considered by many as “liquid ecstasy”. Regular users often refer to it as “G” or “Liquid G”.
In highly concentrated street form, “G” usually comes in smallish containers (think hotel shampoo bottles) that holds 1-2 fluid ounces.
One dosage is usually a capful. There are approximately 9 hits per bottle but varies, depending upon concentration levels (See GHB Project site). The operative words are “depending upon concentration levels”.
FYI: GHB is considered a central nervous system depressant. It’s often used for partying and enhanced sexual arousal. In the past, the substance has been tied to numerous date rapes because it can cause loss of consciousness and/or amnesia.
GPB will update this story as more information becomes available.
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Photo Credit: Steamworks Chicago website
