A Monte Vista woman has been arrested in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in Salida earlier this year.
According to the Salida Police Department, 34-year-old Vanessa Salvio was arrested last week on charges of criminally negligent homicide and theft related to the January 26 death of Lukas Brown.
Investigators allege that Brown, also of Monte Vista, died from a fentanyl overdose in a Salida motel room after Salvio provided the drug and administered it to him. Police reports state that Salvio told detectives she blew fentanyl into Brown’s mouth from her own mouth. Shortly afterward, Brown reportedly experienced a medical emergency and died despite attempts to save his life.
Authorities also allege that Salvio admitted to stealing property belonging to Brown from the motel room following his death.
Salvio has been charged in Chaffee County District Court with one count of criminally negligent homicide, a felony, and one count of theft, a misdemeanor.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
