3 Dead, 1 Hospitalized In Suspected South Bay Fentanyl Overdoses

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Three people died and another person was taken to a local hospital in apparent fentanyl overdoses Monday afternoon in unincorporated Gilroy, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies at around 3:05 p.m. Monday responded to the 1000 block of Garcia Lane in Gilroy to assist Cal Fire after four people — all adults — were found unresponsive in the residence, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Three of the people found were pronounced dead by Cal Fire and the other person was taken to a local hospital, the Sheriff’s Office said. Their condition wasn’t immediately known.

The deputies provided medical aid and administered Narcan.

“The Sheriff’s Office suspects fentanyl involvement,” the agency said in a news release noting that the Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will determine the official cause of the deaths.

The identity of the deceased victims will be released by the Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office after next of kin are notified.

“The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the community of the serious dangers involved with fentanyl use,” the agency said, noting that just two milligrams of the potent opioid (or the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil), is potentially deadly. Victims can also unknowingly take illicit drugs laced with fentanyl.

“Our hearts go out to the victims’ families,” the agency said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office at (408) 808-4500.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Services anonymous tip line at (408) 808- 4431.