Polk County ( trfnews.i234.me ) – A Grand Forks woman is facing a third-degree murder charge in Polk County after allegedly selling fentanyl that led to a deadly overdose in East Grand Forks.
According to court records, 44-year-old Rachel Keturah Boswell is accused of providing fentanyl to a 20-year-old woman who died on August 19. If convicted, Boswell faces up to 25 years in prison. Sentencing guidelines suggest between six and 16 years, depending on her criminal history.
Overdose in East Grand Forks
Just before 10 a.m. on August 19, officers responded to an apartment for a reported overdose. They found a young woman unresponsive on the floor of a bedroom. Emergency medical personnel confirmed she had died.
Investigators located drug paraphernalia near her body, including a piece of tinfoil that tested positive for fentanyl. Police said phone records showed multiple calls between the victim and Boswell earlier that morning.
Connection to Fentanyl Sales
A member of the Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force reported Boswell was known for selling and using fentanyl. According to the complaint, Boswell admitted that the victim asked her to obtain fentanyl. Boswell then contacted Megan Kelly Thorsen, who is also facing felony drug charges in Grand Forks County. Thorsen allegedly sold fentanyl to Boswell, who later gave some to the victim.
Boswell told police she provided the victim with about two “points” (.1 gram each) of fentanyl wrapped in foil. Thorsen allegedly admitted to selling fentanyl to others for $35 per .1 gram. She warned Boswell not to let anyone use it alone because it was so strong.
Court Proceedings
Boswell made her first court appearance on September 2. A judge ruled she could be released without posting bail, but only under strict conditions. These include no drug or alcohol use, testing, searches of her person and property, and participation in a pre-trial supervision program.
Her next court hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on September 18 in Polk County.
For more information on Minnesota’s third-degree murder statute, visit the Minnesota Legislature website.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Rachel Keturah Boswell