Murder charges in Fentanyl patch overdose | News

TUSCALOOSA, AL (WBRC)- The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Department says three people have been charged with murder in connection with the death of a woman who died after overdosing on Fentanyl patches.

The Sheriff's department, in a statement to FOX6 News Friday afternoon, said a Grand Jury today returned murder indictments against Shanna Valentine, Casey Swindle, and Sharron Valentine in connection with the 2011 death of Rikki Hayes, 44, of McCalla.

On Sept. 10, 2011, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's deputies and homicide investigators responded to the 20900 block of Charles Cir. in McCalla, where they found Hayes deceased. Investigators said Hayes was found by her son lying on the kitchen floor not breathing.

The sheriff's department said Hayes' autopsy report stated the cause of death was Multiple Drug Toxicity due to toxic levels of Fentanyl in her body.

The death investigation revealed Shanna Marie Valentine and Casey Wilson Swindle gave Rikki Hayes the Fentanyl patches that caused her death. Valentine had obtained the patches from Sharon Riley Valentine.

Investigators said Rikki Hayes was then shown how to cut the patch open and eat the gel inside it. Swindle and Shanna Valentine then left the scene for about 20 minutes, and when they returned, Hayes was dead.

The sheriff's department said the case was presented to the Grand Jury last week. Friday, the Grand Jury returned three indictments for murder for Shanna Valentine, Casey Swindle and Sharron Valentine, the provider of the patches. All three were arrested Friday and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on $100,000 bond.
 
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