Marin Fentanyl Overdose Investigation Leads To Suspect's Arrest

NOVATO, CA — A Marin man was arrested earlier this week in connection with two Fentanyl overdose deaths over the summer, Novato police said.

Lucas Novick, 26 of San Rafael, was arrested Monday on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and furnishing narcotics (two counts each) and booked into Marin County Jail, police said.

Novick's arrest culminated an investigation that began more than three months ago.

Officers at around 1:45 p.m. Aug. 16 responded to a residence on Cambridge Street on the report that two men who were deceased, police said.

The victims were identified as a 29-old Woodacre man and a 68-year-old Novato man, police said.

The Coroner’s Office took over the investigation and found the cause of death for both victims was related to a Fentanyl overdose, police said.

Investigators found evidence that a third person – later identified as Novick – had been at the Cambridge residence the night before the bodies were found, police said.

Officers contacted Novick, who admitted to being at the residence that night, police said.

Novick said he performed CPR but that he eventually left both men inside the residence, police said.

He returned the next day to find both men dead.

“Between statements and evidence found at the scene, it appeared Novick had a larger role in this case,” police said in a statement.

Novato police detectives determined Novick also provided the drug at a separate Aug. 15 party in which two attendees survived overdoses, police said.

Fentanyl-related overdoses are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect.

It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper and more powerful, addictive, and dangerous.

Fentanyl is an opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroine, and 100 times stronger than morphine.