Autopsy Report: Teen's Fatal Meth Overdose Ruled Homicide

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

STILLWATER, Oklahoma --  Autopsy reports showed a 15-year-old Garfield County girl died from a methamphetamine overdose at a family reunion this summer and her death is being ruled a homicide.

Stillwater police said Linda Tucker was with her family at Lake Carl Blackwell in June when her mother found her barely breathing. Tucker was taken to a convenience store in town where she was pronounced dead by medical responders.

An autopsy report released by the medical examiner's office revealed Tucker's probable cause of death was acute methamphetamine intoxication. The amount of meth inside Tucker was almost 10 times the lethal limit.

"When I showed this to the toxicologist he said, 'Oh my goodness. That was monstrous. A monstrous level,'" said Cherokee Ballard, State Medical Examiner's Office spokesperson.

Her manner of death was listed as "homicide."

The report by Dr. Chai Choi stated four needle puncture marks were located on the left side of Tucker's neck along with numerous scabs, contusions and cuts all over her body. The report also stated, by marks it appeared someone else had injected the meth into her neck.

Payne County District Attorney Rob Hudson said his office is reviewing the case and charges are expected in the near future.

"We're working on some jurisdiction issues and still trying to figure out what charges to file and against whom," Hudson said.

Stillwater Police Capt. Randy Dickerson said it could take some time before charges are filed.

"Our investigators have been working with OSU Police Department investigators because where she was at the lake, that's actually Oklahoma state property. She was brought into Stillwater property, and through the investigation we learned the drugs were purchased in yet another jurisdiction," Dickerson said.