Families demand tougher probe into overdose deaths in South Carolina

Columbia, S.C. (WACH) — A call for change at the state house tonight.

People who have lost loved ones to drugs are calling for changes to the way overdose deaths are investigated some possible changes to state law.

“It was a crime scene with no crime scene tape.” Said Missy Boyd who lost her daughter to a drug overdose five years ago but doesn’t think enough was done to look into the case.

“She was missing the last few days of her life and the investigating officer and deputy coroner were notified of this at the crime scene. Her social media profiles were deleted, and other accounts were altered which we discovered before we learned of her passing, later confirmed by her boyfriend.” Said Missy.

Missy’s daughter Meagan Mangum-Jimenez was found dead of apparent drug overdose in west Columbia back in November of 2019.

Boyd says her daughter battled opioid addiction for years before her death and Lexington county investigators closed the investigation into her death in February of 2020.

“It appears that, that is the easy answer is drug overdose meaning we’re not investigating and it’s just an easier route to get rid of the case.” Said Billy Warren who is a victims advocate.

The group argues many cases that have been ruled as overdose deaths also have some other factors involved and need further investigation.

According to the latest data, in 2021 there were around 258 opioid related deaths in the midlands, with the most deaths coming in Richland and Lexington Counties.

“Just because of a label, maybe if something had to do with anything with drugs or, just the situation at all it’s been covered and these people have been label lynched and they haven't been able to tell their stories because of who they’re related to, it’s an embarrassment.” Said Dawn Pierce who is the chair of moms for liberty in Lexington County.

They want to see the people illegally selling those drugs to be held accountable for these deaths.

Right now, lawmakers are considering a measure that would charge someone with a drug induced homicide.

“We have to look and see if that’s the answer if it is the drugs and then who provided those drugs because there is currently the bill here at the house about fentanyl and whether it passes or not we still have murder we could charge them with if we can prove that it caused that death.” Said Warren.

That plan is still up for debate and would have to pass before the end of the state house session in May.