It's case closed for yet another drug fatality case in Baldwin County, and this time, the sheriff's office says new technology helped lead to an arrest.
The Randox MultiSTAT is a drug screening machine that offers rapid results, allowing investigators to investigate cases quickly.
The Baldwin County Coroner's Office began using the machine last summer, and it has already led to several arrests.
"To us, it's an invaluable tool," said Sheriff Anthony Lowery. "In any type of homicide case, information that you can get, the sooner that you can get it, it gives you a greater opportunity to make the case."
The latest was last week when Samantha Dean Sheehan, 33, of Foley, was charged with manslaughter.
The sheriff's office said the victim was found dead in a home on January 3. The Randox machine found there was enough fentanyl in the decedent's system to cause death.
RELATED: Baldwin County Coroner's new toxicology machine expediting lab results, allowing for quicker arrests
The sheriff's office's drug task force was then able to conduct interviews to track down who provided the drugs to the victim they only identified as "Hogue."
"The evidence indicates that 3.5 grams of fentanyl was purchased by Hogue," the sheriff's office said in a press release.
Sheehan was arrested on February 12 and was given no bond.
Lowery told 1819 News he was thankful the coroner's office was able to purchase the machine.
"It's game-changing for us and not all these cases are going to be prosecutable cases, but it's still great the tool to have an idea within a short amount of time of what happened."
"The speed of getting that information changes our ability to prosecute the cases," he said. "It's plain and simple."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
