(UPDATED) Stewartville Woman Charged With Fatal Drug Overdose
Stewartville, MN (KROC-AM News) - Conditional bail was set at $100,000 today after a Stewartville woman was formally charged with third-degree murder in connection with a fatal drug overdose last fall.
43-year-old Shannon Brown is accused of supplying the drugs that led to the death of 45-year-old Michael Janvrin on the morning of October 21st. The criminal complaint alleges Brown was with the victim when he collapsed around 3 AM after ingesting the drugs, but then left the residence near Pleasant Grove about half an hour later and did not call 911 until nearly 9 AM when she returned to the home in the company of two juveniles.
The court document says an autopsy performed by the Southeast Minnesota Medical Examiner's Office determined Janvrin's death was the result of the toxic effects of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The criminal complaint indicates an Olmsted County Sheriff's Office investigator reviewed cell phone records from various phones owned by Brown. The evidence gleaned from the phones included messages from Brown to an adult female that were sent around 9:30 AM on the day Janvrin died during which she stated that, "There is drugs in the house."
The complaint also summarizes statements given by two witnesses. One was a juvenile who told the investigator that she heard Brown speaking with someone on a speakerphone and saying, "it's all my fault, it's all my fault. It was me. I gave him a baggie and it's what killed him"
A second witness, identified as an adult female, reported to the investigator about multiple conversations with Brown concerning her involvement in Janvrin's death. The witness indicated that Brown had told her that she found a bag of unidentified drugs and brought them to the victim's residence. The witness alleged Brown told her that Janvrin took two hits of the substance and then dropped to the floor.
The charges also state that Brown told the investigator that she hid a container holding controlled substances and paraphernalia after Janvrin collapsed. A search of the residence conducted later that day uncovered the container, which held more than 15 grams of suspected methamphetamine along with a pipe and plastic baggies.
According to the criminal complaint, Brown met with the investigator a week later and stated that she brought a "mystery substance" to the victim's residence in a plastic baggie for her and the victim to use. She described it as a white chunk with powder around it inside a baggie.
A search warrant was executed at her home in Stewartville the same day and the court document indicates the investigator located two plastic baggies and a cigarette pack wrap from a garbage can. It also states that all three items tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
Brown is scheduled to return to Olmsted County Court on February 1 for a procedural hearing.
_______________________________________________
(previous version)
A Stewartville woman is being held in the Olmsted County jail pending formal arraignment on a third-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal drug overdose last fall.
The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office says 43-year-old Shannon Brown was arrested on Friday. A spokesperson says she is suspected of supplying 45-year-old Michael Janvrin with the dose of fentanyl that resulted in his death on October 21, 2023.
The Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to a 911 call from Brown and found Janvrin deceased at a rural Stewartville residence near Pleasant Grove shortly before 9 o'clock that morning. According to investigators, Brown reported that she was with Janvrin when he suddenly collapsed about six hours earlier.
The Sheriff's office also reported that Brown left the residence about 30 minutes after Janvrin collapsed and then returned later that morning with two juveniles and placed the 911 call. At that point, the deputies who responded to the call deemed Janvrin's death as suspicious and an investigation was launched.
A spokesperson says the investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at Brown's residence in Stewartville. That search resulted in the discovery of a substance containing fentanyl. Investigators indicated that Brown admitted taking "a mystery powder" to Janvrin's residence where they both ingested the substance.
The autopsy conducted by the Southeast Regional Medical Examiners Office determined Janvrin's death was caused by fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity.
More Minnesota News:
- Rochester Area Man With 11 Felony Convictions Accused of Burglary
- Rochester Shoplifting Arrest Allegedly Tied to Midwest Scam
- Young Minnesota Child Critically Injured in Rear End Crash
It's a Minnesota Bucket List! 50 Things You Must Do and See in Minnesota
Gallery Credit: Jessica Williams
