ELK COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
According to a criminal affidavit, police say the male victim was found unresponsive at a home along Dagus Mines Road, on January 22nd.<\/p>\n
Authorities say investigators noted various drug paraphernalia and other items inside the home, as well as suspected methamphetamine.<\/p>\n
According to state police, laboratory testing confirmed that the seized items tested positive for several illicit narcotics, including fentanyl, heroin and meth.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n