A Tampa man has been arrested on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of another man who overdosed on fentanyl last summer, court records show.
Timothy Sean Herndon, 37, was arrested Friday in connection with the death of Christopher Hampton, 34, on July 27. Hampton’s mother found him dead in his bedroom in Ruskin early that morning, records state.
Deputies found drug paraphernalia near his body, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s Opioid Overdose Investigations Section launched an investigation. Detectives found fentanyl at the scene, and an autopsy determined that Hampton fatally overdosed on the drug, records state.
Detectives used cellphone records to determine that Herndon and Hampton had been texting “concerning the dispatch and delivery of a package via Uber’s courier service to the decedent’s residence,” records state.
Herndon later admitted to detectives that he had sent the drugs to Hampton, records state.
Herndon is being held in jail without bond, and prosecutors have asked a judge to keep him jailed until the case is resolved.
Herndon is charged with first-degree murder from the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
An online obituary for Hampton said he was a Tampa native who went by the nickname CJ.
CJ’s love for his family was unwavering—he always put others before himself and was thoughtful, gentle, and selfless in every way. He was truly a gift to his family and to this world.
“CJ was a man of faith, raised as a Christian, and he gave his life to Christ—a decision that brings peace and comfort to those who mourn his passing,” the obituary states. “His spirit was pure, his heart full of love, and his soul undeniably beautiful.
“A talented artist, CJ had a deep passion for drawing. Through his art, he expressed the love, depth, and creativity that reflected who he truly was inside.
“He was a pure soul—kind-hearted, loving, and thoughtful. He never hesitated to lift up those around him and was always willing to give of himself. CJ’s life was a blessing, and though his time here was short, his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”