Westphal

OLIVIA — An Olivia man has been charged with third-degree murder in the overdose death of a Colorado woman in July 2021.

Bradley J. Westphal, 37, of Olivia was charged in Renville County District Court with giving the woman the drugs that caused her overdose. Unconditional bail was set at $300,000; $150,000 with conditions Wednesday. A settlement conference was set for 1 p.m., Jan. 19, 2022.

According to a Renville County Attorney’s Office news release, law enforcement responded to Westphal’s residence in the early morning hours of July 19, 2021 and found the woman not breathing and without a pulse. She was transported to a hospital where she later died.

According to a witness, Westphal provided the woman with pills believed to be Percocet, which she took. The witness said 15 to 20 minutes later, the woman began to fall asleep and gasp for air. The witness yelled at Westphal to call 911, which he refused to do.

Instead, the witness said Westphal removed drugs and drug paraphernalia from the residence, made phone calls and a sent a Facebook message.

Law enforcement collected pills from the scene, both of which were identified as Fentanyl. The victim’s autopsy results showed she died of the effects of Fentanyl. Neither Percocet or its components were found in the victim’s toxicology.

Law enforcement agencies investigating the death included Olivia Police, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office, the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

“Fentanyl overdoses continue to plague communities all across Minnesota. Those who are providing and profiting from this deadly drug must be held accountable,” read the Renville County Attorney’s Office news release.

“This dangerous drug, often sold and marketed illegally as a different pain medication, is proving costly to lives in our communities,” read the release.

“Fentanyl is a powerful narcotic pain medication that can cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, coma, severe respiratory depression, and death. It is imperative that any medication taken, particularly opioids, are taken only as directed,” read the release.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch

@nujournal.com).