RUSK COUNTY, Texas — The deadly drug named fentanyl continues to make appearances across East Texas. Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said Thursday investigators believe the opioid was a possible contributing factor in the death of a man whose body was dumped on a Rusk County road last week.
"It was determined that he did not die there on that county road," Valdez said.
William Welch, of Kilgore, and Stephanie Kravis, of Carthage — both 36 — were arrested Wednesday in Gregg County on charges of abuse of a corpse without legal authority, engaging in organized criminal activity and possession of a controlled substance.
Arrest documents also show a third person was involved in the dumping of the body.
According to an arrest affidavit, a witness told a Rusk County Sheriff's Office investigator that the dead man was carried away by three people, including Welch and Kravis, and placed on Rusk County Road 169D.
Valdez identified the third person as Charles Parker, 41, Longview. Officials are continuing to search for him, the sheriff said. A photo is not yet available.
The sheriff also identified the deceased man as Cory Murphy.
In the arrest document, evidence that was recovered and other investigative efforts matched the witness' statement.
According to Valdez, fentanyl is a "possible contributing factor" of Murphy's death as the investigation is ongoing. Based on recent advisement from state officials, if that is proven true, Valdez said that Kravis, Welch and Parker could be charged with murder.
Valdez said Rusk County officials are also looking into possible fentanyl-related deaths in the area.
"I have never seen a drug that is so deadly so quickly, and in such a small dose," Valdez said. "It's just so difficult for us to reach out to people and explain to them just how dangerous this drug is."
According to the affidavit, the position of the body was not consistent with an "unattended death." Using the deceased's cell phone GPS data, the investigator found where the man was last before getting moved to Rusk County Road 169D.
The RCSO and Kilgore Police Department obtained a search warrant for a residence located at 626 Layton St. in Kilgore.
During the search, law enforcement seized suspected drugs such as methamphetamine, fentanyl and other items. The affidavit stated the recovered evidence established a link to the deceased and additional documents identified Welch and Kravis as the residents.
Kravis' bond was set at $170,500, while Welch's bonds total $170,000.
The family has been notified of the death and Murphy's body has been sent for autopsy, the sheriff's office said.