Two men connected with the 2015 overdose death of Manhasset dermatologist Kiersten Cerveny were arrested Wednesday and are facing federal drug charges.
Marc Henry Johnson, an HBO producer, and James Holder, brought Cerveny’s body into the lobby of an apartment building in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood after she died of a cocaine overdose on Oct. 4, 2015, according to Newsday, which obtained a copy of the criminal complaint filed Wednesday.
New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told Newsday that the charges against Johnson and Holder stemmed from an investigation into the death of the 38-year-old doctor.
Cerveny, who practiced at Prohealth Care Associates LLP at 2 Hillside Ave. in Williston Park, had reportedly gone out with friends earlier in the evening but later met with 51-year-old HBO producer.
The two went to a 16th Street address, allegedly where Holder lived, and the producer reportedly called 911 to notify authorities of Cerveny’s death before fleeing the scene toward Eighth Avenue.
Cerveny was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” around 8:30 a.m. in the vestibule of the building, located at West 16th Street near Seventh Avenue, according to published reports.
She was later pronounced dead at Lenox Health Greenwich Hospital.
Cerveny died from “acute cocaine and alcohol intoxication,” according to the New York City Medical Examiner’s office.
According to Newsday, the criminal complaint does not accuse Johnson or Holder of causing Cerveny’s death.
Johnson and Cerveny, who is identified as “Individual 1” in the criminal complaint, were seen on video surveillance entering the building at 4:25 a.m.
The criminal complaint said that Holder and Johnson were seen leaving the building a few hours later and then Johnson called 911 to report the death, without revealing his identity or explaining what happened.
According to Newsday, Holder was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and Johnson was charged with attempted distribution of cocaine and moving the “woman’s unresponsive body” to avoid apprehension.
The two men are expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.
Reach reporter Joe Nikic by e-mail at jnikic@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x203. Also follow us on Twitter @joenikic and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
