EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Megan Kelly Thorsen has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for third-degree murder.
The Grand Forks woman received her sentence Thursday, November 12, 2026, in Polk County District Court.
The case involved the fentanyl overdose death of a woman in East Grand Forks on August 19, 2025.
Judge Orders 15-Year Prison Sentence
Thorsen received credit for 180 days already served.
Her attorney requested another 266 days of credit for time spent in custody in North Dakota.
However, the court denied that request.
Thorsen must serve at least 10 years before becoming eligible for release under the reported sentence.
Her Minnesota prison term will run concurrently with sentences imposed in two separate North Dakota cases.
Fentanyl Sale Led to Fatal Overdose
According to court documents, the East Grand Forks Police Department responded to a fatal overdose on August 19, 2025.
Investigators determined that the victim had obtained fentanyl through Rachel Keturah Boswell.
Boswell contacted Thorsen to arrange the drug purchase on the victim’s behalf.
The victim reportedly sent Thorsen $80 before the three women met in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
After receiving the drugs, the victim drove Boswell home.
Court documents indicate Thorsen warned Boswell about the fentanyl’s strength.
She reportedly told Boswell that nobody should use the drug alone.
The victim later died from a fentanyl overdose.
Second Woman Also Sentenced
Thorsen and Boswell were both convicted of felony third-degree murder in connection with the woman’s death.
Boswell was sentenced in December 2025 to seven years and two months in prison.
She received credit for 89 days already served.
Both cases involved distributing fentanyl that unintentionally caused another person’s death.
Thorsen Apologizes to Victim’s Family
Before sentencing, Thorsen addressed the court and expressed sorrow over the woman’s death.
She said she understood the pain of losing a loved one because her sister had died from an overdose.
Thorsen also described losing two family members before returning to Grand Forks.
She acknowledged struggling with addiction and apologized to the victim’s loved ones.
Thorsen said she regretted allowing her addiction to affect another family.
Additional Drug Cases in North Dakota
Thorsen also faces two separate felony drug cases in Grand Forks County.
One involves allegedly delivering a controlled substance inside a correctional facility.
The other involves possession of fentanyl with intent to manufacture or deliver.
According to court documents, Thorsen was arrested during a Grand Forks traffic stop on August 21, 2025.
Investigators allegedly found 6.7 grams of fentanyl on her person and another 0.44 grams inside her purse.
Five days later, correctional officers reportedly observed Thorsen and two other inmates showing signs of drug impairment.
A search allegedly uncovered another 19.9 grams of fentanyl hidden in Thorsen’s clothing.
Her North Dakota sentencing hearings were delayed while she remained in Minnesota custody.
Understanding Minnesota’s Third-Degree Murder Law
Minnesota Statute 609.195 allows third-degree murder charges when unlawful drug distribution causes another person’s death.
A conviction under this provision can carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Additional case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
North Dakota court records can also be searched through the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry system.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
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