17-year-old charged with manslaughter after 16-year old dies of fentanyl overdose in Prince George, BC

Manslaughter charges have been laid against a 17-year-old in Prince George, BC, following the overdose death of a 16-year-old girl who was found unconscious at a College Heights home and later died in hospital with high levels of fentanyl in her blood.

At about 10 pm PT on June 26, 2024, police responded to a call at a home in Prince George’s College Heights neighbourhood, where a 16-year-old girl was found unresponsive. Emergency health services took the girl to the hospital, where tests revealed high levels of fentanyl in her blood, and she later died.

Recently, the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of manslaughter, leading to the arrest of a 17-year-old who was later released on conditions.


According to CBC News, the Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits identifying accused persons aged 12 to 17 unless they are tried as adults.

“This is a tragedy, and our thoughts continue to be with the deceased’s family. We also recognize that this event has had a larger impact on the community, including the accused and their family,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron Whitehouse, plainclothes commander for Prince George RCMP, according to the CBC News website

Calling for prevention through education, Whitehouse encouraged parents, guardians, and teachers to speak openly with youth about the dangers of unprescribed drug use.

The case will now proceed through the court system.