Pubdate: Tue, 05 Mar 2002 Source: Daily Press (VA) Copyright: 2002 The Daily Press Contact: http://www.dailypress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/585 Author: Associated Press WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN DRUG OVERDOSE CASE FINCASTLE, Va. -- A grand jury on Monday indicted a Cloverdale woman on charges of second-degree murder and drug distribution in the death of a teen-ager whom authorities said overdosed on a painkiller. Authorities allege that Melanie D. Benzenhafer, 23, sold the teen-ager Lortab, a widely prescribed drug similar to OxyContin. Sandra Warden attempted to awaken her 17-year-old son, Brian Kristofer, from a nap around 3 p.m. on Saturday. When he wouldn't wake up, Warden called 911. Rescue workers attempted to revive Kristofer, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Warden told The Roanoke Times an autopsy revealed that drugs led to her son's death. Delbert Dudding, chief deputy of the Botetourt sheriff's department, would not say what led police to suspect Benzenhafer. Benzenhafer was held Monday night in the Botetourt County jail. Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom said this is the first time he sought a murder charge in a drug distribution case. The law permits it when authorities believe someone who sold drugs is responsible for a death, he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Ariel