Police say overdose killed New London woman
By Robert Cloud
Two New London residents accused of selling heroin to a woman who later died are now in custody on $100,000 cash bonds.
Prosecutors have charged Brian A. Bevers, 28, with reckless homicide by the delivery of drugs, delivery of heroin and delivery of marijuana.
Jenna L. Kriesser, 29, is charged with reckless homicide by the delivery of drugs as party to a crime and delivery of marijuana.
On April 6, New London police responded to a death reported on the 200 block of East Cook Street.
A housemate identified the deceased as 29-year-old Veronica Hupf.
Officers saw no signs of trauma, and it appeared Hupf had been dead for several hours before they arrived.
They found a cellphone on Hupf’s bed and a small bag of marijuana on her dresser.
According to the criminal complaint, the housemate told police that Hupf had been quarantined for the previous six days due to a fever.
She had remained upstairs while her housemates remained downstairs.
Investigators also learned Hupf had a history of drug use that she tried to keep hidden from others, the complaint says.
The housemate said Hupf left the house between 9-10 p.m. the previous night and remained outside for about five minutes.
When she returned, the housemate aksed Hupf where she had gone.
She reportedly said she went outside because Kreisser owed her some money.
Hupf then went back upstairs.
The housemate said he did not see her again until he found Hupf’s body in her bedroom at 9 a.m. the following morning.
An autopsy determined Hupf died as a result of an overdose on morphine, fentanyl, cocaine and alprazolam, a prescription sedative.
Dr. Adam Covach, the Fond du Lac County medical examiner who conducted the autopsy, said the morphine was likely metabolized heroin.
Text messages on victim’s phone
Investigators found multiple text messages on Hupf’s phone between her and Kreisser, and between her and Bevers.
“I’m in pain. I really am,” Hupf messages Kreisser.
On the night of April 5, Bevers messages Kreisser, “can I stop at your crib?”
Hupf responds, “the fams here.”
At 8:29 p.m. Hupf messages, “We can meet in the alley.”
Bevers then messages back, “K I will meet you there in 5 min.”
Later, Hupf messages Bevers again: “And its all legit? Cuz you know I don’t know about that stuff, like it not gonna guck me over?”
Bevers asks, “70 worth for 50?”
“I got 40 on me,” Hupf responds.
“On my way, almost there,” Bevers messages.
“OK heading down,” Hupf responds.
New London police then examined video from buildings near Hupf’s home and observed Bevers’ truck entering the victim’s alley on April 5 in the late evening. The truck is then seen leaving approximately three minutes later.
Bevers and Kriesser face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of reckless homicide.