Indiana Man Arrested After Woman He Said He Bought Fentanyl For To Treat ‘Severe’ Cancer Pain Overdoses: Cops

An Indiana man was behind bars after he allegedly said he bought and gave fentanyl to a woman suffering from cancer who then overdosed on the drug, authorities said.

Erick Eugene Smith, 44, faces charges of murder and dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, the Muncie Star Press reported.

According to the outlet, Smith allegedly said he paid a friend $20 for the fentanyl, which he is accused of preparing and providing to 41-year-old Laura Fowler to inject to treat what he called her “severe pain.”

Fowler died from an overdose of the synthetic opioid on Jan. 12 at the Muncie home she shared with the suspect, police said.

The Star Press reported an investigation determined there were conflicting reports about Fowler’s health status when the mother of three died.

Smith was booked into the Delaware County jail.