Jefferson City police arrest 27-year-old man suspected in fatal drug overdose

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City police officers arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of second-degree murder linked to a fatal drug overdose.

Police say the death investigation goes back to October 2020.

According to court documents, Police responded to a residence on the 3400 block of north Ten Mile Drive on a deceased person.

During the investigation, police found a white powdery substance on a table and a baggie with three pills, later identified as oxycodone.

Police going through the victim's phone found a text message from the victim to purchase some drugs from Thames.

During an autopsy of the victim, toxicology report from University of Missouri reports the victim passed away from fentanyl use.

Officers arrested Darren Thames Friday night after being pulled over. A release from the police department said investigators determined Thames was a suspect in the death.

The release did not say why Thames was pulled over.

Thames was booked into the Cole County Jail. Officers said charges of second-degree murder have been submitted to the Cole County Prosecutor's Office -- As of Monday Thames had not been charged.

The release did not include any information for the overdose victim.