Ashley Lane (far right) poses for a photo with her son Ashton (from left), eldest daughter Alyssa and youngest daughter Cali.
Ashley Lane was happy being a stylist, but she also was a friend and a therapist to people who were struggling, even when her own mental health and substance abuse got the better of her, her family said.
On Monday, a Durham man was accused of selling the fentanyl that caused Lane, 39, to overdose Dec. 28 at The Graduate Hotel in downtown Chapel Hill. She died on Dec. 31 at UNC Hospitals.
Aaron Donald Brooks, 40, is charged with felony death by distribution sale, possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, sale or delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance, court records show.
He is being held in the Orange County jail under $300,000 secured bail, records show.
LENOIR, N.C. โ A woman has been accused of giving a deadly dose of fentanyl to a woman in Concord.
Last February, Hayli White was found along Misty Wood Lane, but police believe the drugs were sold to her in Caldwell County.
โStill shock and disbelief,โ said Whiteโs stepfather, Dustin Carswell. โYou expect to see her come through the door at night, and she doesnโt. It just doesnโt seem real still.โ
The Caldwell County Sheriffโs Office said they originally arrested Jessica McMahon four days after Whiteโs death.
Deputies told Channel 9โฒs Dave Faherty that they seized fentanyl and other narcotics concealed in a hide-a-can they believe she purchased online that looks like a bleach and carpet cleaner bottle.
At the time, McMahon was charged with trafficking, but deputies said they were unaware of Whiteโs death in Concord.
The Concord Police Department alerted them to the death ten days later after finding text messages in Whiteโs phone.
Caldwell County Sheriff Kevin Bean said one of his top priorities since taking office last August is stopping the sale of fentanyl and other drugs and preventing tragedies like Whiteโs.
โItโs my belief that if drug dealers sell this poison to our children and family members and a death occurs, they should be charged with first-degree murder and sent away for life,โ Bean elaborated.
Whiteโs family said they hoped the arrest would prevent another senseless death, and they believe by speaking out theyโll possibly help someone else.
โWe understand that itโs not going to bring Hayli back, and we just donโt want other families to go through what we have during the past year,โ said Carswell.
โItโs not uncommon, you know. And you just donโt think itโs going to happen to you or your family,โ said Whiteโs sister, Makenzie Kepler.
McMahon was arrested again on Monday in connection with this incident. She has been charged with death by distribution and is being held in jail under a $500,000 bond, sheriffโs deputies said.
From 2019 through 2023, overdose deaths rose fastest among Black and Hispanic residents. County health officials said that in many instances, people died after using street drugs laced with fentanyl.
Fatal overdoses surged among Black and Hispanic residents in Mecklenburg County from 2019 through 2023, according to county data released on Thursday.
For each of the two groups, the drug-related death rate increased by 200% during that five-year window. For the countyโs white population, the rate of fatal overdoses rose 14%.
Mecklenburg Health Director Raynard Washington called the trend โalarming.โ
โThese numbers are a stark reminder that the opioid epidemic is impacting every group in our community,โ he said in a public statement on Thursday.
Why it matters:ย Despite a slight nationwide decline in recent years, drug overdoses remain the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2023, more than 100,000 people died as a result of drug overdosing in the United States. Mecklenburg County recorded 356 overdose deaths in 2023, the last year for which county data were available.
Whatโs driving the surge?
In an interview with QCity Metro, Washington blamed the rise in overdose deaths on opioids and fentanyl, a synthetic drug that can be lethal in tiny doses. In many instances, he said, fentanyl is mixed with street drugs such as cocaine and counterfeit pills such as Adderall, Oxycodone and Percocet.
โOur illicit drugs are mostly tainted with substances that could kill you, and it doesnโt take multiple uses,โ Washington said. โIt takes one use.โ
Washington said people share illegal pills, believing they are safe. โItโs best to get those from a pharmacist with a doctorโs prescription and not from a friend, a family member or someone in the community,โ he said.
Dr. Thomas Owens, the Mecklenburg County medical examiner, said: โAlmost every day we see the devastatingย burden of fentanyl in our community.โ
What do the numbers tell us?
When it comes to race, Mecklenburg County has seen a seismic shift in overdose deaths.
As recently as 2019, white residents made up the bulk of Mecklenburgโs overdose deaths. In recent years, however, Black and Hispanic communities have seen the fastest growth rates for overdose deaths. (The death rate continues to grow for white residents as well.)
In 2019, for example, Black residents in Mecklenburg County died from overdosing at a rate of 14.99 people for every 100,000 Black residents. But just five years later, that number had surged to 44.34 overdose deaths for every 100,000 Black residents.
In his interview with QCity Metro, Washington said men accounted for a disproportionate number of overdose deaths in Mecklenburg County. Preliminary data for January showed that more than 65% of suspected fatal deaths in the county were male.ย
A Wallace man is behind bars and charged in relation to an overdose death from March, 2024.
Elijan Eddie Robinson was arrested on Monday, Feb. 17, by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division following an investigation that began on March 7, 2024.
In March, 2024, Deputies responded to a call on NC 50 South in Rose Hill where they found Jacey Newkirk was found deceased in her residence.
Per a release, through an ongoing investigation, narcotic investigators with the DCSO Special Operations Division (SOD) with assistance from the DCSO Criminal Investigation Division (CID) determined that the victim had obtained narcotics from Robinson prior to her death. On February 13, 2025, the North Carolina State Medical Examinerโs Office confirmed that the cause of death was a fentanyl overdose.
As a result of the investigation, Elijah Eddie Robinson has been charged with:
Death by Distribution (Felony – 1 Count)
Robinson is currently being held in the Duplin County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Sheriff Stratton Stokes would like to thank Beulaville Police Chief Karl Mobley for his assistance in this case as well.
The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office has announced three arrests in connection with fatal drug overdoses.
The first happened on Jan 30, 2024, when the PCSO responded to a call at 338 Foxwood Trail in Reelsboro regarding an unresponsive female later identified as Jacqueline Mantia, according to officials. Mantia’s cause of death was later determined to be due to a drug-related overdose and investigators identified Richard Evans as the individual responsible for delivering the controlled substance that led to Jacqueline Mantiaโs fatal overdose, per officials. Evans was arrested on January 31, 2025, and charged with Death by Distribution of Controlled Substance.
Per a release, “in an unrelated investigation, on December 4, 2023, the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 215 Shingle Brook Road in the Olympia Community of Pamlico County in reference to an unresponsive male. Upon arrival responding deputies discovered the body of Jason Stultz deceased of an apparent drug overdose.
Following a thorough investigation, it was determined that the cause of death was a drug-related overdose. The Craven County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit assisted with the investigation, and through cooperation among multiple agencies, two individuals were identified as suspects.
Investigators identified Lisa Bass and Steven Smith, both residents of Craven County, as the individuals responsible for selling and delivering the controlled substance that led to the fatal overdose of Jason Stultz. Bass and Smith have been charged with Death by Distribution of Controlled Substance.
Both suspects were arrested by other agencies under the issued warrants and subsequently transferred to the Pamlico County Detention Center.”
Sheriff Chris Davis made the following statement regarding the case:
โIt is our goal to continue to arrest those responsible for distributing this poison to our family and friends in Pamlico County. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families that have and continue to be negatively affected by this type of behavior. Another solid investigation by the men and women of the Pamlico County Sheriffโs Office.โ
The Pamlico County Sheriffโs Office urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information related to the distribution of illegal substances.
The Pamlico County Sheriffโs Office is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens in Pamlico County through proactive law enforcement and community partnership.
Richard Evans, 61 from Reelsboro charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance, and Posses Weapon of Mass Destruction. Hughes is being held on a secured bond of $100,000.00 Bond.
Lisa Bass, 53 from Craven County charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance. Bass is being held on a secured bond of $100,000.00 Bond.
Steven Smith, 52 from Craven County charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance. Smith is being held on a secured bond of $150,000.00 Bond.
MACON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) โ A Macon County man has been charged in an overdose death of another man.
The Macon County Sheriffโs Office posted on social media on Feb. 5 that Tanner Gerber was indicted for the overdose death of Daniel Stanfield and formally charged with death by distribution.
This charge is designed to hold drug dealers accountable for fatal overdoses, the sheriff’s office said in its Facebook post. It said the charge was also part of “ongoing efforts to combat the drug epidemic affecting the community.”
The sheriff’s office said in its post that District Attorney Ashley Welch played a key role in drafting the legislation that established death by distribution as a prosecutable offense.
“This law provides law enforcement with a critical tool to pursue those who distribute deadly narcotics, reinforcing the message that drug-related deaths will not go unanswered,” the sheriff’s office said.
โThe tragic death of Daniel Stanfield is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of illegal drugs in our community,” Macon County Sheriff Brent Holbrooks said in the post. “This indictment sends a clear message to those who distribute lethal substances will be held accountable. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our citizens and seek justice for victims and their families.โ
Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830 barb@fentvic.org. website: www.fentvic.org Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic.org), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380
Local Co-Host:ย ย Lisa Bennett, Mother of Mason Bennett, Forever 22. Valued member of fentvc.org. Public safety, education & justice advocate.ย ย 229-873-5648ย ย lisawbennett@me.com
Purpose
SAVE LIVES! Public Safety Education Prevention Tools + Naloxone Distribution & Training
Listen-Learn-Interview devastated fentanyl victim families. It could happen to anyone!
Spark public safety conversations about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly counterfeit pressed pills (Adderall, Xanax, Percocet),ย and access to life-saving naloxone in schools and the community
Connect NC Fentanyl Victim Families to one another for support and advocacy.
A Greenville woman has been arrested and charged in Craven County related to the overdose death of a Rocky Run Road man in Dec. 2023.
Amy Sue Gunter, 47, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 9 after an investigation by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office.
In late December 2023 a man was found deceased in his vehicle at a Rocky Run Road residence. The death appeared to be the result of an overdose, and the North Carolina State Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed the death was from a fentanyl overdose.
Officials say that an investigation revealed the victim had purchased narcotics from Gunter prior to his death.
Gunter has been charged with the following:
Felony Sell and Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
Gunter was being held at the Craven County Detention Center on a $100,000 secured bond as of Jan. 9.
A man holds a poster showing Wilson County residents who have died as a result of fentanyl. Families shared their stories outside the Wilson County Courthouse in September to bring awareness to the dangers of the drug. Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina will hold a town hall meeting in Wilson on Feb. 1 at the Foundation YMCA of Wilson.ย Drew C. Wilson | Times file photo
Event organizers are sounding the alarm on the fentanyl crisis that continues to claim lives. The Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina will hold a town hall meeting in Wilson from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1, at Foundation YMCA of Wilson at 233 Nash St.ย
The purpose of the event, organizers say, is to spark public safety conversations about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly when itโs found in counterfeit pressed pills like Adderall, Xanax and Percocet.
Organizers will also be distributing naloxone, which goes by the brand name Narcan, and train those attending on how to administer the lifesaving antidote. Local families will also share their heart-wrenching stories of how their loved ones have died from fentanyl poisonings. The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.
ADDRESSING THE ISSUE
Barb Walsh, founder of Fentanyl Victims Network, has been working with Wilson families who are reeling from the loss of their own children who have died as a result of unintentional fentanyl deaths. The hope, she said, is to bring awareness to a problem that is plaguing the country, the state and Wilson.
โThis is a public safety problem we want to address,โ Walsh said.
Walsh is holding several town halls throughout the state.
โI chose Wilson because there is a pocket of very active families,โ Walsh said. โWe have two death by distribution cases going on (in the court system).
Local elected officials, public health professionals, advocates, parents of fentanyl victims, first responders and representatives from the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition and the Wilson County district attorneyโs office will be in attendance at the Feb. 1 town hall meeting. Local law enforcement members have also been invited, organizers said.
โI think itโs important for people to see these numbers and realize how many people are dying,โ said Lisa Bennett, co-organizer of the event. Bennett lost her son, 22-year-old Mason Bennett, in February 2023. He died after taking what he believed was a Percocet, a prescription painkiller, but it was laced with fentanyl, she has said. Since her sonโs death, Bennett has been working with Walsh and her nonprofit.
Walsh said 18,457 people in North Carolina have died as a result of fentanyl over a 10-year period.
From 2013 to October 2023, there have been 138 fentanyl deaths in Wilson County alone, according to state data Walsh has compiled.
SOUNDING THE ALARM
Walsh founded the Raleigh-based nonprofit after her daughter, Sophia Walsh, died from fentanyl poisoning in August 2021. Walshโs daughter drank what she thought was a bottled water from someoneโs refrigerator.
Unbeknownst to her, it contained diluted fentanyl. Sophia died, and no one called 911 until 10 hours later, Walsh said. No one was charged.
โWe didnโt know what she died from until five months later,โ Walsh said.
After her daughterโs death, Walsh channeled her grief into research, advocacy and justice for other victims. Walsh has worked across the state to bring awareness to the dangers of fentanyl and has worked with families to demand justice in their cases by utilizing state law and getting those responsible charged.
โIT COULD HAPPEN TO YOUR CHILDโ
Walsh said thereโs a misconception about fentanyl deaths. She said not all deaths are the result of someone in active addiction. Some people are simply experimenting.
Seven out of 10 โstreetโ pressed copycat pills contain lethal fentanyl additives, according to officials.
Fentanyl, which is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, is a synthetic opioid that can be lethal even in small doses.
โIt could happen to your child,โ Walsh said. โThe pressed pills are the culprit.โ
Organizers hope to educate families and encourage parents to talk with their children about the dangers that are out there.
โIf we can stop just one family from having to go through this it will be worth it,โ Bennett said.
Bennett said more lives will be saved if more people are armed with Narcan.
โThey cannot save themselves,โ Walsh said. โSomeone in the community will have to save them.โ
For more information about Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina visit www.fentvic.org.
