North Carolina woman dies from fentanyl-laced heroin, suppliers charged with murder: police

A North Carolina woman died from a drug overdose behind a Walmart and now police say two people face murder charges.

The Lexington Police Department said officers responded to a report on Dec. 27, 2020, of an unconscious person and possible drug overdose in a wooded area behind Walmart.

Once there, police found Eva Marie Beckom, 39, having an overdose. Officers and EMS tried to save her life, but Beckom died, police said.

After an investigation, authorities said they identified her cause of death to be acute fentanyl toxicity.

Police said Beckom received heroin laced with fentanyl from Jonathan Alexander Gordon, 30.

On May 7, authorities decided to prosecute Gordon on a second-degree murder charge and he was arrested later that day.

Investigators continued their efforts and found Gordon purchased the heroin from Heather Everhart. She was charged with second-degree murder and death by distribution, police said.

Everhart was arrested on May 12 and faced charges of possession with intent to sell or distribute methamphetamine, trafficking heroin by possession, trafficking heroin by transport, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia and felony maintaining a vehicle. 

Both Gordon and Everhart remain in jail, as the investigation is still ongoing, police said.