ELK COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Pennsylvania State Police say two people are behind bars following a months-long investigation into the fatal overdose of a 59-year-old man in Fox Township.
Investigators say 30-year-old Colby McCandless, of Ridgway, and 38-year-old Amanda Earnest, of Luzerne County, are accused of supplying the victim with a deadly amount of drugs that were laced with fentanyl.
According to a criminal affidavit, police say the male victim was found unresponsive at a home along Dagus Mines Road, on January 22nd.
Authorities say investigators noted various drug paraphernalia and other items inside the home, as well as suspected methamphetamine.
According to state police, laboratory testing confirmed that the seized items tested positive for several illicit narcotics, including fentanyl, heroin and meth.
Upon further investigation, police learned that the duo had traveled to the Pittsburgh area, the day before the overdose, in order to purchase suspected drugs from a known dealer.
According to text messages recovered by investigators, the couple reported that the victim quickly became “dope sick” after allegedly consuming ‘half a bundle’ of the suspected drugs in a short period of time.
Authorities say an autopsy report later confirmed that the victim died from ‘acute fentanyl toxicity,’ with his blood testing positive for fentanyl and medetomidine at the time of death.
Online court records show that both McCandless and Earnest are charged with various offenses related to drug delivery resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter and criminal conspiracy.
The duo is being held at the Elk County Jail with bail set at a quarter-of-a-million dollars or more.