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.
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