Three people arrested in ‘forced ingestion’ drug overdose, Alabama deputies say
Published 3:46 pm Monday, August 7, 2023
Three people have been charged with the March “forced ingestion” overdose death of a young Alabama man. One of those arrested was the victim’s own father.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to a home at 50 Laura Drive in the Thach community on March 27, to investigate what was reported as a possible drug overdose death of Landon Tyler Rader, 26, of Jasper, Alabama.
Investigators turned over their work to a grand jury.
The grand jury indicted three people with felony murder, manslaughter and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
Those arrested include:
Jamie Landon Rader, 48, the victim’s father.
Ryan Dustin Clark, 24.
Tonya Keene, 43.
Each of those arrested were held in the Walker County Jail on $250,000 bond.
Investigators said they three either provided or encouraged the ingestion of drugs and then failing to help provide help to Landon Rader after he began showing signs of overdose.
“It is monumental to Walker County as it’s the first time murder charges have been brought because of a drug overdose,” Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said.
“I hope this sends a message to the citizens of Walker County and surrounding that if you sell, furnish or give away a controlled substance that causes the death of another human being that you can be held liable,” Smith said. “What makes this one more significant than a regular overdose is that this was a forced ingestion. This was not just an individual who voluntarily took a controlled substance.”