Teen Accused of Watching Friend Fatally Overdose on Heroin, Then Waiting Until the Morning After to Call 9-1-1

Screenshot of Griffen Kramer (KTLA)

Four teens were arrested in connection with death of a Thousand Oaks teen who authorities believe died after overdosing on heroin last month.

Griffen Kramer was a high school football player and the son of former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer, who had struggled with a drug addiction. He was found dead on October 30 at the home of his friend David Nernberg in Agoura Hills, according to the Daily News. But if authorities' suspicions are right, it turns out that Nernberg might not have been such a pal.

Authorities are accusing Nernberg of watching his friend foam at the mouth after shooting up heroin in a park one evening, dragging Kramer into his home and waiting until the next morning to call 9-1-1. By the time Nernberg had called paramedics, his friend had been dead for hours, authorities said.

They believe that Nernberg wasn't the only one involved. Two other teens were arrested on suspicion of the same charges as Nernberg: involuntary manslaughter. In the hours in between the time that Kramer is believed to have OD'ed and the 9-1-1 call, authorities said Nernberg drove around with Kramer and his friends asking what he should, too. A fourth teen was booked on a drug charge, according to the Associated Press.

The story gets even sadder. One of the parents of the teens told the Ventura County Star that all the teens in Agoura Hills are doing heroin. Authorities conducted a search of six homes and found marijuana, cocaine, heroin — but they also found a home with five children in "deplorable condition." All of the children were taken into custody. The man arrested on suspicion of child endangerment turned out to be the grandson of Dick Van Dyke — Carey Van Dyke.

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By Emma G. Gallegos in News on November 19, 2011 11:00 AM 0 Comments

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lkgallop

I just read this article regarding the tragic death of Griffen Kramer. I was particularly taken aback by one sentence you wrote: "One of the parents of the teens told the Ventura County Star that all the teens in Agoura Hills are doing heroin." First of all, in the VC Star article that is cited, the parent says, in relation to cocaine and heroin use, "It's a major problem in here in Agoura." Aside from being this parent's opinion, it is also far different than saying that "all the teens" are doing heroin. As the parent of two teenage boys who have been raised in Agoura Hills, I can tell you that this father's opinion is grossly exaggerated and likely affected by the challenges he is dealing with regarding his own son. Is there drug and alcohol use by teens in Agoura Hills? Yes, of course, just like in most communities around the country, this is a challenge our community and we as parents face. However, I believe that the use of heroin and even cocaine affects a much more limited number of teenagers, many of whom have long established drug and alcohol issues. I can tell you that my sons and their friends are hard working teenagers who do well in school, play sports, volunteer in the community, and are productive members of society. I would say that they are far more representative of the teens in Agoura Hills than those who are abusing serious drugs like heroin and cocaine. I would urge you to choose your words more carefully in the future.