HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) – Billy Ray Smith, 70, of Hinton, has been arrested in relation to the overdose death of Rebecca Smith on Sept. 5.
According to the criminal complaint, officers were called to an overdose death in Hinton on Sept. 5. Officers investigated and took two audio- and video-recorded statements from Billy Smith where they learned that he had allegedly given Rebecca Smith some Fentanyl. The criminal complaint notes that Billy Smith was read his Miranda Rights before both interviews, after which he waived his rights and provided the statements of his own free will.
Additionally, the criminal complaint states that during one of the interviews, Billy Smith admitted to trading Clonazepam for Heroin and taking the drugs back to the residence where the death occurred. He also allegedly stated that he gave some of the drugs to Rebecca Smith.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner provided police with an autopsy report on Rebecca Smith that confirmed the cause of death as an overdose.
Billy Smith was arrested earlier this month and booked into Southern Regional Jail on Dec. 5. He is being held on a $50,000 bond and is charged with drug delivery resulting in death.
