In a significant step highlighting the severity of the opioid epidemic within Los Angeles, the L.A. County District Attorney, George Gascón, has charged Casey Linder with murder, stemming from a fatal overdose incident. The charge concerns the death of a woman who consumed fentanyl and methamphetamine allegedly sold to her by Linder. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the drugs are the direct cause of her death, emphasizing the lethal risks associated with fentanyl, a potent opioid linked to a significant number of overdose fatalities in the region.

District Attorney Gascón said, "This is a deeply tragic case illustrating the heartbreaking consequences of opioid sales in our communities," as stated by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Gascón further voiced compassion for the victim's family and underscored the dangerous nature of fentanyl. He vowed, "Our office is committed to prosecuting those who distribute fentanyl and other dangerous substances" to firmly tackle, what has become, to desperately grapple with the opioid crisis.

Linder, who was arraigned on June 21, pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include one count of murder and eight counts related to the sale and possession of controlled substances. Details state a bail set at $2.1 million for Linder, with a possible maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. His preliminary hearing is slated for July 3, as per the District Attorney's office.