Mankato man charged with murder in fentanyl overdose | Local News

MANKATO — A Mankato man suspected of supplying the counterfeit oxycodone pills that killed a woman in rural Mankato last month is now charged with murder.

Justin Michael Lang, 27, was charged with third-degree murder and felony drug crimes Friday in Blue Earth County District Court.

Lang admitted he sold pills to Beth Leann Roulet, according to a court complaint.

Roulet, 38, was found dead in the bathroom of a residence on Third Avenue north of Mankato on March 5.

Family members told authorities Roulet had become addicted to opioids after being prescribed them following surgery.

An autopsy showed Roulet had fentanyl and three other drugs in her system and died from “mixed drug toxicity,” according to the court complaint. Pills in Roulet’s purse were found to contain fentanyl, which is a dangerously powerful synthetic opioid.

Roulet’s boyfriend allegedly told an investigator Lang sold them what they believed was oxycodone three days before Roulet died. The man said he took some of the pills and suspected it was not oxycodone because it was so strong.

Lang told police the next day he had sold 10 pills to Roulet for $200, the charges said. Lang was arrested but released pending further investigation.

Investigators found more evidence in Lang’s residence and on Lang’s and Roulet’s cellphones, the complaint said.

Drug paraphernalia including pink plastic baggies matching the one found in Roulet’s purse reportedly was found in Lang’s Park Lane residence.

Roulet’s cellphone reportedly had cryptic messages with Lang that investigators believe were code for arranging a drug deal.

Most data had been erased from Lang’s phone, but there was still a photo of the counterfeit pills that the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office had released to the media. The photo was accompanied by a message: “This wasn’t yours right? Sorry I freaked me out for a min.” The sender of the message is not identified in the court complaint. 

Lang, who has multiple prior drug convictions, was not in custody as of Friday afternoon. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.