Phoenixville Man Charged In Drug-Related Death Of Pregnant Girlfriend

PHOENIXVILLE, PA —A 40-year-old Phoenixville man was arrested on charges of supplying a fatal dose of drugs to his pregnant girlfriend on Valentine’s Day 2022, prosecutors said Friday.

Christopher Barbuto is accused of giving his former girlfriend Courtney Wilson, 28, alprazolam, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in his Phoenixville home.

Barbuto is in Chester County Prison in lieu of $300,000 bail Friday after being arraigned before District Judge James Kovaleski on charges of drug delivery resulting in death, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and related offenses.

Wilson died as a result of the combined toxic effects of alprazolam, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, according to an autopsy conducted by the Chester County coroner’s office.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said that witnesses told police that Barbuto did not want to “waste” Narcan, a spray used to treat opioid overdose, on his girlfriend.

“He unlawfully disposed of the remaining drugs and other evidence and waited several hours before calling 911,” the district attorney said.

“His despicable actions and lack of actions speak volumes about his responsibility in the death of Courtney Wilson,” Ryan continued. “We will get justice for her family and loved ones.”

There were a total of 49 cases of drug delivery resulting in death in Chester County reported from 2015 to 2019, according to a report provided by the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.

Drug delivery resulting in death carries a sentence of 20 to 40 years in state prison, according to the state sentencing guidelines.

According to prosecutors:

• Phoenixville police responded to the 200 block of St. Mary’s St. for the report of a possible overdose after 911 received a call from the defendant.
• When police arrived, they found the victim dead at the scene.
• Police found an empty bag of heroin/fentanyl in the victim’s purse near her body and two suspected Xanax pills in her belongings.
• Also found was the victim’s unlocked cell phone, which was seized by police.
• Investigators discovered text messages between the victim and the defendant on the phone that indicated he was supplying heroin/fentanyl and Xanax to her.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Phoenixville police at 610-933-1180.