Victim overdosed, but three charged with second-degree murder
Six people were arrested in connection with the drug overdose of Danelle McGovern Keim, who was pronounced dead on Feb. 9 after being found unresponsive in her Destrehan home.
Keim’s death came less than a day after a NOLA.com/Times-Picayune report revealed that the FBI was investigating whether former District Attorney Harry Morel granted leniency in exchange for sexual favors.
Sources with information on the case said part of the allegations were focused on a 2009 burglary case involving Errol Falcon Jr., who was convicted in 2011 and sentenced to 24 years in jail after being found with more than $100,000 in stolen goods in his residence. According to those sources, the FBI was investigating whether Falcon asked his girlfriend to perform sexual acts with Morel in exchange for leniency.
A source told the Herald-Guide that Keim was Falcon’s girlfriend at the time he was facing burglary charges.
According to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Keim’s autopsy report found that she had a lethal amount of methlyone in her body, which caused her to overdose. Methlyone is a synthetic stimulant similar to bath salts.
Keim’s boyfriend, Matthew Savoie, admitted to giving Keim “mollies,” which is ecstasy in a powder or crystalline form, authorities said. He has been charged with second-degree murder and the distribution/manufacture or possession with intent to distribute of a schedule 1 controlled dangerous substance.
Theresa Buse, Adrianne Johnson, Michael Chisholm, Willie McNeil and Rachel Demarco were arrested after authorities said they were involved with the sale and distribution of the narcotics that directly led to Keim’s death.
Buse and Johnson were both booked with second-degree murder in addition to various drug charges. Chisholm was charged with principal to second-degree murder as well as principal to the distribution, manufacture or possession with intent to distribute of a schedule 1 controlled dangerous substance.
Mcneil was charged with distribution of a schedule 1 controlled dangerous substance and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile. Demarco was charged with distribution of a schedule 2 controlled dangerous substance.
According to state law, second-degree murder charges can be filed “when the offender unlawfully distributes or dispenses a controlled dangerous substance…which is the direct cause of the death of the recipient who ingested or consumed the controlled dangerous substance.”
Capt. Pat Yoes, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said that deputies were able to establish a trail of evidence for individuals who provided drugs that resulted in Keim’s death.
“Those dealing narcotics need to know that if someone is killed as a result of their dealing, they are subject to second-degree murder charges,” Yoes said.
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