20-year-old charged with 3rd Degree Murder in fentanyl overdose case

The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force (LSVOTF) arrested a 20-year-old woman Monday, December 16, at the 92000 block of Vinland Street in Duluth following an investigation into a fentanyl overdose death that occurred on July 30, 2023 in Hibbing.

“On that date, a 25-year-old Mountain Iron man had been found unconscious at a residence in the 11000 block of Town Line Road and lifesaving efforts by Hibbing Police and Fire Departments were unsuccessful,” explained Sgt. Luke Hendrickson with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. “An autopsy performed by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office determined the deceased’s death was caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl.”

Cook was arraigned by the St. Louis County District Court for 3rd Degree Murder on Tuesday, December 17.

The suspect is currently being held on $500,000 bail. The arrests follows a nine-month investigation by the LSVOTF.

“Fentanyl is a highly addictive, powerful synthetic opioid, the use of which has grown significantly over the past decade and is now responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in Minnesota,” emphasized Hendrickson.

Information on drug recovery support can be found here.