Arrest made months after Fort Worth man dies from fentanyl overdose

A man has been charged with murder in connection with the fentanyl-related death of a young man in Fort Worth.

The Fort Worth Police Department announced that 21-year-old Ramiro Limon faces a murder charge under the provisions of HB 6, a law passed in Texas in May 2023.

The grieving parents of the deceased, Matthew Teran, spoke to NBC 5 about their loss and their hopes for justice in the case.

Mayra Uribe recounted the morning of November 6, 2023, when she sensed something was wrong as her son Matthew did not come down for breakfast. She discovered him unconscious and immediately began CPR while his sister called 911. Despite their efforts, Matthew, aged 21, succumbed to a fentanyl overdose.

Four months later, a suspect has been arrested. Fort Worth Police released a statement stating, “FWPD Narcotics officers developed probable cause to charge Ramiro Limon under the new fentanyl murder statute for delivering fentanyl to a person who died from ingesting it.”

House Bill 6 established a criminal offense of murder for supplying fentanyl resulting in death, and requires deaths caused by fentanyl to be designated as ‘fentanyl toxicity’ or ‘fentanyl poisoning’ on death certificates.

Matthew’s parents revealed that their son had struggled with substance abuse in the past but had been making progress towards sobriety.

Both parents expressed support for the legal measures to hold individuals accountable for supplying drugs that lead to fatalities.

As for Matthew, his father expressed a desire to remember him for his positive qualities and impact on others.

The case has been forwarded to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for further action.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin or morphine, poses a severe risk of overdose. It remains a leading cause of drug-related deaths in the United States.

Additionally, there has been a concerning trend of colorful fentanyl, known as “rainbow fentanyl,” being seized nationwide, posing an increased risk of addiction among young people. The DEA has warned that all forms of fentanyl should be considered extremely dangerous.