Murder & Manslaughter Charges Filed in Minnesota Drug Death

Austin, MN (KROC-AM News)- Murder and manslaughter charges have been filed in connection with a southeastern Minnesota drug death. 

See Also: Man and Woman Found Dead in Minnesota Home Following Armed Confrontation 

The criminal complaint, filed in Mower County Court on Tuesday, says the victim lost her life last October. 

Investigators first identified the suspect when he called the victim’s phone after she was found dead.

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Austin, MN Man Charged With Murder and Manslaughter for 2024 Drug Death

Austin police responded to the report of a drug overdose at a residence in the 1300 block of 9th Ave. Northwest in Austin. Upon arrival, officers found a deceased woman who the complaint said, “had been there for sometime.” 

Officers found drug paraphernalia and fentanyl on a bed the woman was lying in, the charges say. 

An autopsy determined her death was an accident. A toxicology report detected the presence of fentanyl, a muscle relaxer, an anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication and other medications. 

The medical examiner ruled her death was due to mixed drug toxicity, according to the complaint. 

If you or someone you know if struggling with drug and/or alcohol dependence, help is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. To speak to someone on the phone, dial 1-800-622-HELP (1-800-622-4357) or send a text message to 1-800-487-4889.

After finding the victim’s body, police took custody of her phone. While officers had her phone, a man identified as 31-year-old Jacob Allen Brandt. 

The Austin man said he last spoke with her the day before she was found dead. Investigators extracted the data from the victim’s phone and found conversations between her and Brandt dating back to last June. 

The day before she was found dead, the victim sent Brandt $30 via Cash App and the two had three phone calls, the court document says. 

During an interview with law enforcement in April, Brandt admitted to providing the victim with fentanyl on the day before she was found dead, the charges allege. 

Brandt is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His conditional bail was set at $100,000 following his first court appearance Tuesday and his next court appearance is set for next month.