Ex-JPMorgan Analyst Julia Phan Dies in Massachusetts Home of Boston Nightlife Figure

A 24-year-old former JP Morgan analyst was found dead in the Burlington, Massachusetts home of a Boston-area nightlife figure after spending New Year’s Eve with him, according to a Boston Globe investigation based on security footage, 911 audio and public records. Authorities later ruled that Julia Phan died of an overdose tied to MDMA, or molly, prompting questions from her family and friends who said she did not use recreational drugs. Phan had recently left her high-profile job at the banking giant and joined a New Year’s Eve outing organized by Ran Duan, a local nightlife entrepreneur once dubbed America’s “most imaginative bartender.”

The sequence of events, drawn from security video and emergency communications reviewed by the Globe, shows Phan attending a concert in Brighton with Duan on Dec. 31 and being driven to his Burlington home shortly after 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Footage obtained by the Globe shows Duan helping Phan inside the residence while she appeared intoxicated and slumped on a couch. Nine hours later, Duan called 911 in a panic, reporting that Phan had become unresponsive as her body was warm and her appearance troubling. EMS responders arrived, and Phan was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities indicated there was no visible drug paraphernalia at the home at the time of the call, and Duan told police he did not see Phan take any substances, though another person present reportedly saw her put something in her mouth without knowing what it was.

Officials ruled in April that Phan’s death resulted from an MDMA overdose, a conclusion that has contradicted the accounts of many friends and family who described Phan as someone who did not use recreational drugs and often avoided alcohol. The Globe’s reporting noted that shortly after Phan’s death, Duan posted videos of himself partying shirtless in Mexico, which drew criticism given the surrounding questions about what happened in Burlington. Family members and friends have declined to publicly comment, while Duan’s spokesperson said he would not discuss the matter publicly while investigators continued to gather information. He also stated that Phan and her family are in his thoughts and that he respects the process.

Phan, a native of Maine, had recently left a front-office role at JPMorgan after an invitation from Duan to join a New Year’s Eve gathering. Duan has built a hospitality network in the Boston area and operates several bars and restaurants, including venues that rose to prominence during the last decade. He was known in the local scene for his early-m-year bombast and for being named GQ Magazine’s “Most Imaginative Bartender” in 2014. The Globe’s investigation details the night’s events and the investigations’ timeline, which included a police officer’s contemporaneous notes about the absence of drug paraphernalia at the Burlington home and Duan’s reported statements about not witnessing any drug use by Phan.

The case remains unresolved with no charges filed against Duan or others tied to Phan’s death. Duan has said he will cooperate with investigators and that he supports Phan’s family’s privacy. The Globe notes that investigators have not publicly attributed the death to foul play, and state officials have not released additional findings beyond the April ruling. Phan’s family has not publicly commented on the case beyond acknowledging their loss and seeking clarity through the investigation.

The episode underscores broader questions about the intersection of high-profile nightlife figures and financial professionals, particularly in the wake of a young adult’s sudden death tied to party environments. Analysts and observers say such cases highlight the importance of caution in after-hours social settings, the need for transparent investigations, and the role of security footage and documentary evidence in reconstructing events. Authorities have stressed that, while the investigation has progressed, conclusions drawn from public reporting are not a substitute for official findings.

Images from the public reporting shed light on the case’s public-facing aspects and the individuals involved.

The incident has spurred renewed discussion about the pressures facing young professionals who transition from demanding careers in finance to entrepreneurial and social landscapes that revolve around nightlife and hospitality. While authorities have delivered a formal ruling, questions about the night’s details persist among Phan’s friends and family, and they will likely continue to seek answers as the public record evolves. The Boston Globe’s investigation indicates that multiple parties familiar with the case are awaiting further clarity from investigators, and there remains no indication that the case will be prosecuted at this time.