Second man charged in Point Marion overdose death
A second person is facing charges for allegedly selling drugs that caused the death of a 48-year-old woman in Hiller last year.
Matthew Joseph Brumley, 27, of Brownsville was charged Thursday with a felony charge of drug delivery resulting in death. Chaz Franklin Rankin, 27, of Hiller was jailed March 21 on the same charge. A warrant was issued for Brumley’s arrest.
Jennifer K. Ward died from combined toxicity in her 204 S. Main St. apartment in Point Marion on Aug. 4, according to court paperwork. A toxicology report determined fentanyl, morphine, buprenorphine and Benadryl was in her system.
Her husband, William V. Ward, purchased 10 stamp bags of heroin from Rankin for $80. Rankin reportedly told him to be careful and not use a whole bag because it was strong, and might be pure fentanyl.
Rankin was interviewed by state police March 22. He told police he had met Ward three times, twice in July and once in early August. At the last meeting, he said he took Ward to Brumley’s home at 415 Hummell St. to buy heroin. Brumley and Rankin are cousins. He reportedly told police he bought the heroin from Brumley with Ward’s money and gave it to Ward, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case.
Ward reportedly told police he snorted half a bag and gave the rest to his wife, telling her it was strong and might be pure fentanyl. She snorted one stamp bag and later vomited. Later in the evening, they split half a bag. When he woke up in the night between about 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m., he realized his wife had not moved and tried to wake her. He reported her lips were blue, and he rushed to the neighbor’s home for help. They called 911. Point Marion EMS tried to revive the woman unsuccessfully.
Ward identified Rankin from a photo lineup after telling police he knew the man only as Chaz.
Rankin is lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $100,000 bond.