IRVING, Texas - Three people have been arrested and charged with murder following a months-long investigation into a fatal fentanyl overdose at an Irving hotel, according to police.
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Irving Police officers, working in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, executed arrest warrants for three individuals wanted on murder charges tied to the death of a woman at the Red Roof Inn in Irving.
Police said 35-year-old Denzel Gensuan Dorsett was booked into the Irving Jail at 4:19 p.m. on a charge of murder. 24-year-old Ashley Rockell Santillan was also booked into the Irving Jail on a murder charge at 4:06 p.m. A third suspect, 32-year-old Jessica Nicole Williams of Fort Worth, was arrested and charged with murder as well.
The arrests stem from an investigation into the death of a woman found unresponsive on October 17, 2025, at the Red Roof Inn in the 4100 block of West Airport Freeway (near Esters Rd.). Irving Police officers responded to the scene and the victim was transported by Irving Fire Department personnel to a local hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The Irving Police Department has not released the victim’s identity.
Investigators determined the victim had been staying in the hotel room with a male and another female, identified as 31-year-old Ashley Renee DeGroote of Fort Worth. Police said the group had been using methamphetamine for approximately two days.
DeGroote initially denied involvement in providing drugs to the victim, but investigators later found inconsistencies between her statements and evidence obtained during the investigation. A forensic extraction of DeGroote’s cellphone revealed messages arranging the purchase of fentanyl from Santillan and her boyfriend, Dorsett, who is also known by the nickname “Shotta.”
According to police, DeGroote obtained a ride from Williams to a residence in Arlington, where fentanyl was purchased from Dorsett. Investigators said Williams provided the money for the drugs and later gave the fentanyl to DeGroote.
DeGroote later admitted she and the victim walked to a nearby Walmart, where surveillance video showed the two entering the women’s restroom together. DeGroote told investigators she used fentanyl and then allowed the victim to use some as well, warning her of its danger. Both women became ill on the walk back to the hotel, and the victim later died overnight. She was found unconscious the following morning when DeGroote woke up.
Toxicology results determined the victim died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
DeGroote was previously arrested on October 17, 2025, and charged with tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair an investigation after police said she attempted to discard evidence before emergency responders arrived. Surveillance video captured those actions. She was later released on bond awaiting the results of the investigation.
Following several months of investigation, Irving Judge Michael Huebner issued murder warrants for Dorsett, Santillan, and Williams on December 29, 2025. Police said all three now face murder charges in connection with the victim’s death. After being booked into the Irving Jail, they were later transferred to the Dallas County Jail where they remain in custody. Bond has been denied on all three. DeGroote was arrested once again in the early hours of Tuesday, January 13th.
In Texas, House Bill 6, enacted in 2023, allows prosecutors to pursue murder charges against individuals who manufacture or distribute fentanyl that results in a death.
