Two face murder charges in fatal 2024 Citrus Heights fentanyl overdose

A man and woman are facing murder charges in the 2004 fentanyl-related death of a 25-year-old Citrus Heights man last fall, Citrus Heights Police Department officials said Thursday.

Gabriela Valenzuela, 20, and Luis Romero-Espinoza, 22, were arrested Tuesday by Citrus Heights detectives after a monthslong investigation following the man’s Oct. 23 overdose death at the man’s Citrus Heights home.

Investigators accuse the two of supplying the drug that caused the man’s death. Police officials say evidence gathered at the Citrus Heights home last October and during the lengthy investigation that followed led detectives to the pair.

“Multiple search warrants were executed, and investigators found evidence that both suspects had full knowledge of the dangers associated with fentanyl prior to its sale to the victim,” Citrus Heights police officials said in a statement announcing the arrests.

The two are being held without bail in Sacramento County Main Jail on the homicide charges along with felony charges of possessing drugs for sale, said Citrus Heights police.

Both are slated to appear on the charges Thursday afternoon in Sacramento Superior Court.

Darrell Smith

The Sacramento Bee

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Darrell Smith is a local reporter for The Sacramento Bee. He joined The Bee in 2006 and previously worked at newspapers in Palm Springs, Colorado Springs and Marysville. Smith was born and raised at Beale Air Force Base and lives in Elk Grove.