‘Death by Distribution’ Under Investigation

Fentanyl may have caused the death of a Tabor City area man early Monday.
The sheriff’s office said Dep. T. Tyson responded to 4310 Will Inman Road around 3:25 a.m. to a report of a deceased male. A witness told deputies and paramedics that Jeffrey Edward “may have” taken fentanyl and died from an overdose. Paramedics confirmed that Edwards, 61, was deceased.
Deputies developed information that Edwards might have ingested the drug after obtaining it from another person, who was not identified in the report. Detectives were called to the scene to review possible evidence and continue the investigation.
No charges have been filed in the case.
Death by distribution became an easier option for law enforcement and prosecutors in 2023. The General Assembly passed broader specifications for the charge, in part to help fight the opioid epidemic. If a defendant is convicted of selling or providing then helping ingest a fatal drug dosage, that person can face up to 393 months – 32.75 years – in prison, along with other charges.

About Jefferson Weaver 2688 Articles
Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and he can be reached at (910) 914-6056, (910) 632-4965, or by email at jeffersonweaver@ColumbusCountyNews.com.

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