New deadly drug found in Capital Region, tied to inmate death

The Albany County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after an inmate was found dead in his cell yesterday morning.

the sheriff’s office tells CBS6they found a substance on the inmate that may be new to our area.

Corrections officers found 29-year-old Shane Lemperle unresponsive in his cell early Saturday morning. He was later declared dead.

“We had no medical issues with this individual. No complaints of pain. no requests to see medical.”

Sheriff Craig Apple says Lemperle may have died from an overdose of this substance that was tucked in one of Lemperle’s socks.

Field tests found it contained fentanyl and heroin, leading them to believe it’s a new drug called “Grey Death.” Apple says it’s called that because even one dose can be fatal.

“Narcan may not work on this. It’s so lethal that it could be absorbed through your skin.”

The drug’s been responsible for several overdose deaths in the south, but Apple says this is the first time he or the coroner’s office has ever dealt with it.

“I think we’ve been remarkably lucky, not to have these designer drugs hit our area.”

Apple is still figuring out when and how it got in the jail, but says it was smuggled in. He says all inmates and cells will be searched for any other doses. So far, this is the only sample they’ve found at the jail. But Apple isn’t optimistic that this is the last of it.

“If you see a loved one, and you know that they’re addicted, please keep them away from this. Because again, it could be a one way trip to the morgue.”

Apple says he’s looking to install body scanners at the jail next year as another layer of security to keep contraband out. An autopsy will be conducted for the inmate. Apple will turn the substance over to state police, and an expert toxicologist.