May 2026 - Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina

Kinston man charged with death by distribution following woman’s fatal overdose

Read the original article and watch the video on the WITN 7 News website.

KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) – A Kinston man is facing charges following a fatal drug overdose investigation.

Around 8:30 a.m. on April 8th, Kinston police say they were called to the 2400 block of Carey Road for a reported fentanyl overdose.

When they arrived, officers found 28-year-old Andrea Grant unresponsive inside the home.

Emergency crews performed life-saving measures on Grant, and she was airlifted to ECU Health, where she was put on life support.

Kinston officers began an investigation into the overdose and identified 31-year-old Michael Oates as the individual responsible for providing Grant with the drugs.

On April 9th, officers pulled Oates over. He was arrested and found with marijuana laced with fentanyl, marijuana and a gun.

Police say Grant was taken off life support on Saturday and died as a result of her injuries.

Detectives got warrants to arrest Oates for death by distribution following her death.

He was additionally charged with trafficking fentanyl, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Oates was served the warrants and remains in the Lenoir County Jail without bond.

Kinston Man Charged with Death by Distribution Following Overdose Investigation

Kinston drug dealer arrested after fatal overdose

Read the original article on the WNCT 9 News website.

KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — A Kinston man is in custody and charged with death by distribution after a fatal overdose.

On April 8, around 8:30 a.m. officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to a reported fentanyl overdose at a residence of Carey Road.

There they found 28-year-old Andrea Grant unresponsive and after EMS’ efforts, Grant was airlifted to ECU Health and placed on life support.

An investigation by KPD detectives and members of KPD’s B-Squad identified 31-year-old Michael Oats as the fentanyl distributor.

The next day, KPD officers carried out a traffic stop involving Oats. During that stop on April 9, Oats was taken into custody and found to be in possession of marijuana laced with fentanyl, marijuana, and a firearm.

Andrea Grant was removed from life support on April 11 and died from her condition. After this, detectives obtained warrants on Oats for Death by Distribution.

Oats remains in custody at the Lenoir County Jail.

In addition to Death by Distribution, Oats has been charged with the following:

· Trafficking Fentanyl
· Felony Possession of Marijuana
· Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Woman charged with murder, death by distribution in Rutherford County

Read the original article and watch the video on the WLOS ABC13 News website.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A woman is charged with murder after a person was found dead at a Rutherford County home last year.

MUG SHOT – Kathryn Diane Morrison was arrested May 19, 2026, on second-degree murder and death by distribution charges in Rutherford County, North Carolina. (Photo: Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office)

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said Kathryn Diane Morrison was arrested May 19, 2026, on second-degree murder and death by distribution charges.

On Nov. 20, 2025, deputies were called to a home on Windy Hill Drive regarding a cardiac arrest. The sheriff’s office said Pauline Shumpert Scott was found dead at the scene.

Following an investigation, the sheriff’s office said a grand jury indicted Morrison on the charges May 11, 2026.

Morrison appeared in court May 20 and received a $500,000 secured bond.

North Carolina woman charged in death by distribution case

Read the original article and watch the video on the WYFF News 4 website.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. —

A woman in Rutherford, North Carolina, has been charged with death by distribution following an investigation after a victim was found dead in her home.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said in November 2025, authorities responded to Windy Hill Drive to a report of a cardiac arrest.

Upon arrival, the victim, Pauline Shumpert Scott, was pronounced dead at the scene, and deputies say an investigation into the incident was requested.

On May 11, 2026, a grand jury indicted Kathryn Diane Morrison on charges of 2nd-degree murder and death by distribution.

Deputies found and arrested Morrison on May 19. She appeared before a judge on May 20 and was given a $500,000 secured bond.

Deputies: Western NC woman charged with murder for providing drugs in victim’s overdose

Read the original article on the FoxCarolina.com website.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said that a woman has been charged with murder for providing drugs that led to a person’s overdose in November 2025.

Deputies said that the investigation began after responding to a residence on Windy Hill Drive in reference to a cardiac arrest. The victim, Pauline Shumpert Scott, was pronounced dead by EMS on scene. Investigations and forensics crews responded to conduct interviews and process the scene.

According to deputies, the case was presented to a Grand Jury in Rutherford County on May 11, and a true bill of indictment was returned on Kathryn Diane Morrison for second-degree murder and death by distribution.

Officials reported that Morrison was located and arrested on May 19. Morrison appeared before a District Court Judge on May 20 and received a $500,000 secured bond.