CAPE CORAL, FL - June 12, 2020 - According to an online news report published on News-Press.com, the Cape Coral police announced that two additional suspects have been arrest and charged in the fatal drug overdose case involving a 19-year-old Cape Coral female. The total number of defendants in the drug overdose case detained by law enforcement is five.
According to a Cape Coral police report, the 19-year-old victim's body was discovered on the roadside. Law enforcement was contacted by witnesses who discovered a body. Law enforcement arrived at the scene located off of Durden Parkway East to investigate the crime scene. The woman was identified, and the location of the body was in Gator Circle. The body of the victim was found in Gator Circle on April 17, 2020. The Medical Examiner's Office concluded that the teenager's death was a result of an accidental drug overdose.
A 46-year-old homeless man and a 40-year-old female from North Fort Myers were the last two suspects that law enforcement had been searching for in the case. The two suspects were arrested, and they were charged with failure to report a death, mishandling human remains, and tampering with physical evidence. The homeless man was found and placed under arrest in North Fort Myers. He was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force at approximately 7:50 pm. According to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, the suspect was found with the assistance of a Crime Stoppers tipster. The tipster lead officers to the location of the female suspect, and she was arrested, and the tipster is going to receive a cash reward.
The two suspects made their first appearance before the criminal justice court at the Lee County Courthouse. The two suspects had their bail bonds set as $30,000 each. The two suspects will remain at the Lee County Jail, and the two suspects will be arraigned on July 6, 2020.
Two other individuals suspected of participating in the activities that led to the accidental overdose were previously arrested. Police arrested a 45-year-old man, and a 52-year-old man from North Fort Meyers, Florida. Another suspect was arrested by Cape Coral police back on May 22, 2020. This suspect was a 52-year-old female from Cape Coral.
The suspects have been charged with failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, and mishandling human remains. The charge of tampering is a felony in the third-degree. The other couple of charges are classified as misdemeanors.
The 19-year-old victim, a North Fort Myers High School student, had been living in the city for about 12 years. She was originally born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. According to statements made by relatives and friends of the victim, she had a troubled page. The victim was due to be in court on a charge of bond revocation. Friends and family members told the news website that the victim was sweet, and she loved animals.
This recent arrest of two additional suspects in the drug overdose case was a success and based on a tip. The Sheriff's deputies conducted an undercover drug buy, and this lead to law enforcement obtaining a search warrant on a residence. Three of the five defendants are due in court on June 22, 2020.