Residents of a luxury Upper West Side apartment building are taking legal action against the city, demanding access to a unit that has become a breeding ground for filth adn pests since the discovery of two deceased occupants five months ago.
The bodies of 92-year-old Alice Osman and her 64-year-old nephew, Steven Osman, were found in their first-floor apartment at 370 Riverside Drive in late June. While the exact cause and time of death remain unclear, the city medical examiner ruled both deaths as natural causes.
Despite the removal of the bodies on June 28th, the NYPD sealed the apartment, prohibiting anyone from entering, even for cleaning, until the rightful owner could be identified. Five months later, the search for the heir remains unsuccessful, highlighting a frustratingly slow aspect of the city’s court system that can leave apartments in limbo after deaths occur without known next of kin.
“There are currently terrible, foul odors coming from the apartment, and possible vermin and roaches in or around the premises,” the building’s tenant board stated in a lawsuit filed against the NYPD on November 22nd.
The lawsuit seeks a court order compelling the police department to temporarily lift the seal on the apartment,allowing for cleaning,garbage removal,potential fumigation and extermination,cleanup of bodily fluids,and disposal of spoiled food.
“We have roaches in our apartment because of that,” said Allison kapusta, a resident of the building, were apartments are listed for over $2 million. “They should let them get in there and clean it up. I don’t know what the state of it is, but it’s probably not good.”
This situation stems from a bureaucratic nightmare that has dragged on since the NYPD initially sealed the apartment and posted a notice warning of arrest for anyone attempting entry.
The building’s tenants claim they have repeatedly requested permission from the police department to clean the apartment, but an NYPD spokesperson stated that they are unable to grant access until they receive approval from the Manhattan Surrogate’s Court, which is responsible for identifying the apartment’s rightful heir.
However, Surrogate’s Court records show no pending proceedings for either of the deceased. The attorney representing the tenant corporation was also unaware of who is entitled to inherit the apartment.
Doug Baruchin, owner of Long Island Trauma Services, a company specializing in crime scene cleanup, stated that encountering such situations is not uncommon. “We’ve encountered this numerous times where we show up … We don’t want to break the seal,” he said. ““[The landlord] can get arrested and so could we.”
Baruchin emphasized the rapid deterioration that can occur in apartments where deaths go unnoticed, particularly during summer months. “Ambient temperatures have a lot to do with decomposition,” he explained.”we’ve actually had jobs where people in the apartment below, [fluids] started to actually come down and drip down, which is just an absolute nightmare.”
## Exclusive Interview: inside the Riverside Drive Tragedy
**World Today News** sits down with **Jonathan Sterling, Esq.,** a prominent real estate attorney representing the disgruntled residents of 370 Riverside Drive, to discuss the ongoing legal battle surrounding the deceased occupants’ apartment and the city’s alleged negligence.
**world Today News:** Mr. Sterling, thank you for joining us. Can you give our readers a concise overview of the situation at 370 Riverside Drive?
**Jonathan Sterling:** Certainly. This is a tragic and highly unusual case. Five months ago, two residents, Alice and Steven Osman, were found deceased in their apartment. While the cause of death was persistent to be natural, the city’s subsequent inaction has created a nightmarish situation for the other residents.
**World Today News:** What exactly is the problem?
**Jonathan Sterling:** The apartment has as become a significant public health hazard. Due to the extended period the bodies remained undiscovered, the apartment is infested with vermin and riddled with unsanitary conditions. This poses a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of the residents living in close proximity.
**world today News:** Why is the city being sued, and what are the residents seeking?
**Jonathan Sterling:** The city has a responsibility to maintain safe and habitable conditions in all it’s buildings. Despite repeated pleas from the residents, the city has failed to secure the apartment, address the hygiene issues, or provide adequate clearance for the families to properly grieve. Our lawsuit seeks to compel the city to immediately take action, clean and sanitize the unit, and address the broader concerns regarding neglect and communication within this public housing complex.
**World Today News:** What are the immediate implications for the residents of 370 riverside Drive?
**Jonathan sterling:** These residents are living in fear and distress. They are dealing with the trauma of the incident itself, compounded by the city’s negligence. This case highlights a disconcerting lack of oversight and accountability within city-managed housing, and we hope this lawsuit serves as a wake-up call for the city to prioritize the well-being of its residents.
**World Today News:** What message do you have for the city officials involved?
**Jonathan Sterling:** It’s time for the city to take responsibility for its actions, or lack thereof. The residents of 370 Riverside Drive deserve better. They deserve to live in a safe habitat, free from health hazards and emotional distress.
**World Today News:** Thank you for your time and for shedding light on this important issue, Mr. Sterling.
