A Chaska man fatally overdosed on an opioid more potent than fentanyl in his apartment, and a Minneapolis woman suspected of providing the drug has been charged in connection with his murder.
Minneapolis woman charged with 3rd degree murder in connection with opioid death
Lethal drug was carfentanyl — a general anesthetic used for large animals such as elephants and never intended for human use.
Leah Victoria Peterson, 25, was charged in Carver County District Court Tuesday with third-degree murder in connection with the Jan. 7 death.
According to the criminal complaint, John Michael Hall died from carfentanyl — a general anesthetic used for large animals such as elephants and never intended for human use. Hall died a day before his 27th birthday.
Peterson allegedly supplied Hall with meth, but later admitted she was "concerned about the heroin" and was "fairly certain" it was laced with fentanyl, according to the criminal complaint.
She remains jailed in lieu of $1 million in bail without conditions.
According to the criminal complaint, Hall's roommate found him unresponsive with blood and discharge coming from his mouth on the morning of Jan. 7. Police were dispatched to their home at 6 a.m. and Hall was pronounced dead at the scene 47 minutes later.
Just after 2:15 a.m., Hall told his roommate that he was going to wait outside for a drug dealer and to search for him if he doesn't return in 30 minutes, according to the criminal complaint. The roommate fell asleep and woke up to find Hall unresponsive.
According to the criminal complaint, police learned that Hall and Peterson had been communicating on Jan. 6 and in the early morning of Jan. 7 to arrange a drug deal. Peterson had told Hall that she had "boy," which is slang for heroin, according to the criminal complaint.
Hall said "I'd love some" and asked to trade the drug in exchange for some a gift card and cash.
Peterson and Hall continued to text throughout the night until they met in the parking lot of Hall's apartment.
Peterson told police that she and another man drove to Minneapolis to buy heroin, and went to Prior Lake to buy meth and used the drug. They met Hall in the parking lot of his apartment. Hall got into the back seat, traded in cash and gift cards and "the man she was with gave Hall heroin in return." Hall then injected the drug into his arm while all three were inside the car, according to the criminal complaint.
Peterson told police "she never touched" the drug and was the "communicator" in the deal. She also told police she carries Narcan with her in case of overdoses.
Peterson's first appearance is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647
Twitter: @KarenAnelZamora
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