Crookston Woman Sentenced to 13 Years in Fentanyl Death

EAST GRAND FORKS, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A Crookston woman has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison after being convicted of third-degree murder for selling fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 36-year-old woman in East Grand Forks.

Amber Rose Chapman, 37, was convicted on September 24 and sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison, with credit for 275 days already served.

She is incarcerated at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee. Her anticipated release date is December 4, 2034, according to the information provided.

Woman Found Dead in East Grand Forks Apartment

The investigation began shortly after midnight on April 8, 2025, when East Grand Forks police responded to an apartment at approximately 12:42 a.m.

Officers discovered a 36-year-old woman deceased inside the residence. A preliminary autopsy report indicated that she appeared to have died from a drug overdose.

According to court documents, a man at the apartment told investigators that he and the woman had smoked purple fentanyl approximately an hour before he contacted authorities.

The man reported losing consciousness after using the drug. When he woke up, he found the woman unresponsive and called police.

Phone Messages and Payment Request Connected Chapman to Victim

During a search of the apartment, investigators recovered drug paraphernalia and examined the woman’s phone and laptop.

According to court documents, her phone contained an April 7 message and a $30 PayPal request from a contact identified as “Amber Chap.”

Investigators also located drug-related communications between Chapman and the woman on the laptop.

When questioned by law enforcement, Chapman acknowledged providing the woman with brown fentanyl in exchange for $30 and a nose piercing, according to court documents.

She reportedly sent the PayPal request after not receiving the money.

Chapman also told investigators she had given the woman approximately 0.1 grams of purple fentanyl.

Additional Drugs Found During Investigation

At the time of the investigation, Chapman was on supervised release in Minnesota in connection with a separate case.

According to court documents, a probation search of her residence uncovered small quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with drug paraphernalia.

Investigators also interviewed two other individuals who reported receiving methamphetamine or fentanyl from Chapman.

One individual told investigators that Chapman had displayed a large rock of purple fentanyl.

Third-Degree Murder Conviction and Prison Sentence

Chapman was convicted of third-degree murder for unintentionally causing the woman’s death through the sale of fentanyl.

Under Minnesota Statute 609.195, unlawfully distributing certain controlled substances that cause another person’s death can constitute third-degree murder.

The offense carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years.

Chapman received a sentence of 13 years and five months, with 275 days of jail credit.

A separate second-degree controlled substance charge involving a sale within a prohibited zone was dismissed.

Her projected release date remains December 4, 2034, although anticipated release dates may change.

The case highlights the deadly consequences of fentanyl distribution in northwest Minnesota.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.