Missoula Woman Charged In Methadone Overdose Death

A 36-year-old Missoula woman accused of giving methadone pills to a young mother who died of an overdose has been charged.

Michelle L. Erickson appeared in court Thursday on charges of negligent homicide and criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. Bail was set at $100,000.

Prosecutors say Erickson gave five methadone pills to 23-year-old Riley Boyer on March 1. Boyer was found dead the next day with her 4-month-old son crying next to her.

Boyer's boyfriend, Kenneth Cadieux, was originally charged with negligent homicide but pleaded guilty in July to negligent endangerment.

A sympathy message posted on Facebook a couple of weeks after Boyer's death led police to Erickson.

Prosecutors say she acknowledged giving the methadone to Boyer to help her "taper down."

Associated Press