South Bay Man Charged With Murder In Fentanyl Overdose

SAN JOSE, CA — An accused drug dealer in San Jose has been charged with murder in connection with a man who fatally overdosed on fentanyl, authorities announced Wednesday.

Manual Luarodriguez, 29, was set to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, as he stands accused of his role in the death of a 61-year-old man, according to a release from the Santa Clara District Attorney's office.

A decomposed victim was found dead in his apartment on April 26, according to the release. The victim, identified as 61-year-old Jeffrey Diaz, was found about 10 days after he purchased the fentanyl, according to text messages found in his phone that appeared to show a fentanyl deal. Data also showed that he stopped using his cellphone that day, prosecutors said.

Surveillance footage showing the drug deal was later found, and prosecutors say Rodriguez knew of several fatal overdoses tied to fentanyl and had previously overdosed himself.

“Fentanyl is poison,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “When someone sells poison to someone knowing that they could die — and they die — they will be prosecuted. I would like to thank the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office for their dedication and hard work on serious cases like this.”

Rosen’s Office has charged several people for selling illegal drugs to people who had fatal overdoses, according to the release.