Two High School Girls Dead, Another Hospitalized in Tennessee After Possible Overdose; Surviving Teen Accused of Murder

A Tennessee teenager who was hospitalized for a possible overdose is now accused of murder after two other high school girls died, authorities said.

The 17-year-old suspect, who was not identified publicly, faces two counts of second-degree murder as well as possession of a controlled substance in connection with the suspected fatal overdoses of the juniors, ages 16 and 17, at Fayette-Ware High School in Fayette County on May 16, Memphis station ABC24 reported.

According to the law enforcement officials, the suspect was hospitalized but later released into her grandmother’s custody.

Fayette County District Attorney Mark Davidson said investigators used text messages and social media to piece together what they believed happened, ABC24 reported. He claimed drugs were found both where the girls died as well as at a home searched after officers secured a warrant.

The suspect is due back in court on June 7.

"We know that across the nation, we have seen overdoses spike and the numbers have increased greatly, we've experienced that same phenomenon here in Fayette County," Chief Deputy Ray Garcia said. “And for it to happen to juveniles here at a school and on graduation night, that is going to be very devastating to the community, to the students, to the teachers, to the faculty.”

He added that at the high school the girls attended “most all the students know each other or at least are familiar with each other, so that has an impact.”