New Brunswick Man Indicted In Woman's Fatal Drug Overdose

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — A New Brunswick man has been indicted on charges that he caused the drug overdose death of a 37-year-old Bedminster woman in January of 2020.

Lashawn D. Boyd, 25, of Harvey Street in New Brunswick was indicted on charges of first-degree strict liability for a drug-induced death and four counts of third degree distribution of a controlled dangerous substance.

Boyd is alleged to have sold or given cocaine, fentanyl, 4-ANPP and Tramadol to the woman shortly before she died of a heart attack.

At approximately 6:01 a.m. on January 20, 2020, Bedminster Township police and EMS were called to a home on Lamington Road. There, a 37-year-old Bedminster woman was believed to be suffering a heart attack. She was transported to an area hospital, where she subsequently passed away at 5:37 p.m. that same day.

Investigators say she died of a drug overdose, and 22 packets of suspected illegal drugs were later recovered from her belongings. Those packets were tested at a state lab, and it showed the packets contained fentanyl, 4-ANPP and Tramadol.

Fentanyl is a Schedule II narcotic drug. 4-ANPP a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance. Tramadol is a prescription painkiller and a Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance.

An autopsy later determined that woman died from combined adverse effects of cocaine, fentanyl and sertraline.

Police say that before her death, the woman made arrangements to meet Boyd for a suspected drug transaction between January 16 and January 19. Also, she and Boyd were in the same location on January 19 for a brief period of time.

As Patch previously reported, Body was charged in September of 2020 and indictment proceedings against him began on May 19 of this year, before a Somerset County grand jury.

The grand jury returned the indictment in late May.

Boyd remains lodged in the Somerset County Jail. If convicted of the most serious charge, he's facing up to twenty years in prison.

Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief Rock request anyone with information relating to this drug induced death investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Bedminster Township Police Department at (908) 234-0585 or via the STOPit app.

The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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