Evansville, Ind. – A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a drug overdose death that occurred in late January. Zachary Patrick Wagner was taken into custody by Evansville Police and faces charges of dealing a controlled substance resulting in death. The arrest stems from the overdose death of 30-year-old Terry Thornton, who was found unresponsive at a home along Tekoppel Avenue on January 28.
Despite efforts to revive Thornton using Narcan, he was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation into the cause of death revealed that Thornton had ingested fentanyl, a powerful opioid. According to the toxicology report, Thornton’s death was attributed to “Fentanyl intoxication and 4-ANPP,” a substance often linked to fentanyl production.
The breakthrough in the case came when investigators examined Thornton’s cell phone. Through a series of Facebook Messenger conversations, detectives discovered that Wagner had communicated with Thornton on the day of the overdose. These messages suggested that Wagner, along with another individual, had coordinated a transaction in which Thornton purchased suspected fentanyl just hours before his death.
A field test of a powder substance found in Thornton’s room confirmed the presence of fentanyl, which ultimately led to Wagner’s arrest. Authorities say Wagner’s actions directly contributed to the fatal overdose, a growing concern amid the nationwide fentanyl crisis.
Wagner is currently being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail without bond. He has a probable cause hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday in Vanderburgh Circuit Court.
This arrest is a reminder of the dangerous reality of fentanyl’s grip on communities across the country. Law enforcement officials continue to combat the opioid epidemic by pursuing those responsible for the distribution of illegal drugs, especially substances like fentanyl, which have contributed to a surge in overdose deaths in recent years.
The case remains under investigation as officials work to prevent further tragedies and hold individuals accountable for their role in the spread of deadly drugs.
