Fatal drug overdose leads to first degree murder indictment of accused dealer

Indian River,  Fl  (treasurecoast.com) -A grand jury has indicted an accused drug dealer on a first degree murder charge after a fatal overdose that occurred last year. It’s the first indictment of this charge we are aware of in our District 19.

On July 13, a grand jury indicted Jahvon McFarlane, of Palm Beach County, for first degree murder by unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

The indictment stems from a fatal drug overdose that happened on May 9, 2020. The victim was found dead in her home from an apparent drug overdose, which the Medical Examiner’s Office determined to be a combination of fentanyl and cocaine. The M.E. ruled the cause of death acute fentanyl and cocaine intoxication.

The subsequent investigation into the drug overdose death determined the victim got the drugs from McFarlane. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside our agency to bring forward a strong enough case to get the indictment.

McFarlane was taken into custody almost immediately after being indicted with assistance from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. He is awaiting extradition to Indian River County.

No further information will be released at this time.