Farmington Woman Faces Charges for Felony Murder in Fentanyl Overdose Death
SOUTH ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – A 22-year-old woman has been charged with third-degree felony murder following the overdose death of a South St. Paul resident in January 2022. Mikayla Empey, born on November 16, 2001, is accused of providing fentanyl-laced pills to Lenore Ann Richard, 65, whose death was ruled accidental due to fentanyl toxicity. Richard passed away on January 29, 2022, after being hospitalized two days earlier.
Fentanyl, which is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, has been at the forefront of the opioid crisis in Minnesota and across the U.S. Authorities continue to stress the dangers of illicitly manufactured pills, which often contain lethal doses of the drug.
Investigation Details
The investigation by the South St. Paul Police Department (SSPPD) began after Richard was transported to the hospital on Thursday, January 27, 2022. Officers discovered two pills and a piece of burnt foil in Richard's home, items commonly associated with drug use. Analysis by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed the pills contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Family members told police they found the pills in Richard's robe and overheard conversations allegedly between Richard and Empey on the day of the incident. Witnesses reported that Empey allegedly visited Richard’s home, left briefly, and then returned to meet Richard in her bedroom privately. Hours later, Richard was found slumped over at her kitchen table before being taken to the hospital.
Investigators retrieved text messages between Richard and Empey from Richard’s cell phone that allegedly detailed the arrangement of a drug transaction, with Richard instructing Empey to discreetly deliver pills concealed in a face mask near a trash can outside the home. The conversation also indicated discrepancies in the delivery, with Richard questioning why she received only three pills instead of five.
Empey’s Admission
During questioning, Empey allegedly admitted to facilitating the drug transaction but denied selling or profiting from drug dealing. She claimed that Richard’s granddaughter, who was outside the residence during the exchange, was involved in sourcing the pills from a third party. Empey allegedly stated that the pills were obtained at Richard’s request using $160 provided by the victim. Despite her denial of direct involvement in drug sales, Empey acknowledged her role in delivering the pills that contributed to Richard’s fatal overdose.
Charges and Bail
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office has charged Empey with third-degree felony murder for selling, giving, or distributing a Schedule II controlled substance resulting in death and issued a complaint warrant, which was served on November 28, 2024. Court records show that the initial request for bail is $300,000 without conditions or $250,000 with conditions. The court filing emphasized the need for bail to ensure public safety, citing Empey’s alleged role in distributing drugs.
Empey’s first court appearance was today. Her Omnibus Hearing is set for December 18, 2024, at 9 a.m. in Hastings, Minnesota.
As a reminder, this is an overview of the allegations against Empey, detailing the charges, evidence, and potential legal outcomes. The community is reminded that charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will depend on the progress of the legal proceedings.
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
Written by: Will Wight