Pearl man arrested for drug induced homicide - ConnectTriStates.com powered by KHQA

PIKE COUNTY, ILL. -- A Pearl, Ill. man is behind bars for providing heroin to a Milton woman who later died from the drug.

The Pike County Sheriff's Department arrested John R. Edgar, 24, on an outstanding warrant of arrest for Drug Induced Homicide on Oct. 31. The arrest warrant was issued on Edgar following a lengthy investigation in to the death of Shanda M. Lopez, 47, of Milton, who was pronounced dead on Sept. 26 of this year at her residence in Milton.

The investigation continues. However, authorities believe Lopez died as a result of Opiate Intoxication. It was determined by an autopsy performed in Springfield, Ill. by Dr. John Ralston, a forensic pathologist, on Sept. 28. Following numerous interviews conducted in an attempt to determine the last few hours before Lopez's death, investigators believe Lopez ingested heroin, a controlled substance, in the late evening hours the night before her death. Authorities further believe that the heroin used by Lopez was delivered to Lopez at her residence by Edgar.

Sheriff Paul Petty stated, "This death is extremely tragic to our community. We have been aware that heroin has been on the rise in the large cities and has further introduced itself in our communities after several arrests in the past couple of years; however, for someone's life to be cut short due to this drug makes this an unusual case in our area. Often times in the law enforcement community, we are asked if we are identifying the dealers. This particular case is the ultimate threat of being a dealer and a user. Accountability must be a priority for everyone involved in this process. It is unfortunate and sad, but this is the result of the dangers of drugs and why our office has been so proactive in years past. Drugs don't just ruin lives, it takes them."