An 18-year-old man has been arrested by the Denton Police Department in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose that claimed the life of 17-year-old Ryan Erwin. The incident took place on September 25, 2023, when officers responded to an overdose call in the 7500 block of Barrymore Road.
Upon arrival, emergency services transported the unconscious victim, identified as Ryan Erwin, to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Subsequent investigations revealed that 18-year-old Zakkary McReynolds allegedly sold fentanyl to Erwin on the morning of his death.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Erwin’s cause of death as combined fentanyl and diphenhydramine toxicity.
In a joint effort, Denton PD, the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, and the US Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force apprehended McReynolds on Tuesday, January 16th, in the 700 block of Campbell Lane.
McReynolds is currently held in the City of Denton Jail, awaiting bail to be set. This arrest marks the third instance of fentanyl-related Murder charges in Denton since the implementation of a new state law on Sept. 1, 2023. The law criminalizes the act of supplying fentanyl that leads to a fatal overdose as Murder.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, below are local resources to help:
Winning the Fight is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides drug education, support, and necessary resources to youth and families, including free naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, training, and support groups. Contact: (972) 467-7704, www.wtf-winningthefight.org
Solutions of North Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers a full range of substance abuse treatment services, as well as guidance to families. Contact: (940) 898-6202, www.sontx.org
