A Central Florida man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in a double, fatal overdose from earlier in the year.
On May 12, 2023, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a death investigation near the 2000 block of East 131st Avenue in Tampa, where 33-year-old Christian Castro-Rivera was found unresponsive. He was transported to a nearby hospital but pronounced deceased upon arrival.
After a thorough investigation, detectives found Rivera had text messages with an unknown individual asking how he was feeling following the consumption of drugs they had taken together. Based on the text messages between Rivera and that individual, our deputies conducted a well-fare check at the other person’s residence. Upon arrival, they located a second deceased male, 28-year-old Cristian Herrera.
HCSO Detectives were called to both scenes, where they found small bags with a white substance inside. This substance was tested and found to be fentanyl. A further search of both the individual’s phones also found a narcotics deal was arranged only a few hours prior with a man identified as 40-year-old Richard Thorpe.
The investigation continued for several months and ultimately showed the two victims intended to purchase cocaine from Thorpe but received fentanyl and died as a result of using that substance.
On December 14, 2023, Thorpe was charged with First-Degree Murder Which Resulted from the Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance (x2). Richard Thorpe was located and arrested on December 20th, and taken into custody without incident.
“In the wake of a harrowing months-long investigation, our dedicated detectives found the truth, that these individuals unknowingly fell victim to fentanyl, a lethal drug that robbed them of their futures,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Through tireless efforts, teamHCSO, exposed the criminal behind this devastating tragedy. I commend our deputies for their commitment to justice and for bringing closure to these grieving families.”
