A 17-year-old girl was charged with murder over the death of two classmates who died of a suspected fentanyl overdose, Fox 13 Memphis reported.
The unnamed youth, a high school junior, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and possession of a controlled substance in relation to deaths of two girls, ages 16 and 17. The local report stated that the charged girl is believed to have provided the drugs to the two girls.
The three girls were found in a car outside Fayette-Ware High School around 4:40 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Fayette County, Tennessee. The incident took place just hours before the school was set to hold a graduation.
All three high school juniors reportedly overdosed, but the accused survived her visit to the hospital in critical condition. After being released, the teen was charged with the deaths of the two others.
Investigators said that drugs were found at both the scene of the incident and the suspect’s home, where a search warrant was carried out. After sending the drugs for analysis, preliminary reports indicate that fentanyl was found.
Text messages and social media allegedly helped investigators find evidence, but it is unclear to what extent.
“You think you’re getting meth; you think you’re getting coke, or you think you’re getting opioid in a pressed pill. There is a real chance there can be fentanyl in that pill, and you may never know it,” said Mark Davidson, the district attorney.
Davidson added that since COVID lockdowns, there has been an alarming increase in drug overdoses in the county, but this is the first time that he’s seen a fatal overdose that involved teenagers.
There have been 42 overdoses in the Tennessee county already in 2023, totaling four deaths, including the recently deceased teen girls.
Community members held a vigil with speeches and music and released balloons to honor the girls.
The 17-year-old had a preliminary court hearing and was released into family care, but she was only allowed to attend school and counseling. The teen is also required to wear an ankle monitor.
The judge described the incident as a “horrible sad, sad situation,” according to WREG Memphis.
“You are lucky to be here today. This is something you will never forget,” the judge added.
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