Fentanyl Patches Targeted in Several Drug-Related Deaths

Galena, MOA Reeds Spring, Missouri man was arrested and has been charged with distributing Fentanyl patches that were allegedly involved in the deaths of two local men, according to the Springfield News-Leader.

The Stone County Sheriff's Department brought Dennis Horn into custody and charged the individual with two counts of felony distribution. The Reeds Spring resident was held on a $100,000 bond, reported the newspaper.

According to the news source, the investigation into the deaths of Robert Murray of Kimberling City and Mark Marshall of Sparta led police to Horn. They have alleged that he provided the two individuals with the Fentanyl that they injected.

Deputies from the Stone County Police Department were called to a house in Reeds Spring after receiving a call about two men who had been overdosing. Despite several attempts to revive the individuals, they both passed away due to the effects of the drug, the News-Leader reported.

Yolanda Compton, a neighbor of Robert Murray, told KY3 News that she was with him during his last moments.

"I was the one who called 911. So, I was right there in the mix of it, and I seen him, and I got to say goodbye to him, and I got to hold his hand," Compton told the news source. "He was my best friend. He is going to be missed."

According to KY3, the drug comes in patch form and the authorities reported that the two men cooked the Fetanyl with apple juice to retrieve and shoot up the medication.

Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby noted that they were pursuing Horn due to the fact that he had the patches.

"Mr. Horn had Fentanyl patches and two men had been at his house earlier that day," Selby told the news source.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the drug is a powerful synthetic opiate analgesic that is similar to but more potent than morphine. Some of the effects of Fetanyl if taken in an alternate manner than the patch are nausea, confusion, unconsciousness and coma.