Shayne Emery

SLIPPERY ROCK — A West Liberty man is accused of supplying the “Theraflu” fentanyl-laced heroin that ultimately killed his 21-year-old girlfriend earlier this year.

The same-named, tainted heroin is believed to be responsible for about two dozen drug-related deaths in Allegheny, Butler, Armstrong, Beaver and Westmoreland counties.

And court records said Shayne W. Emery, 31, of Church Road told investigators that before selling four stamp bags of the Theraflu heroin to Brittany Hays, he knew news agencies were already reporting that people were dying from its use.

Still, he also allegedly told investigators that “everyone is trying to get Theraflu heroin because it is more powerful,” according to a criminal affidavit filed by state police Thursday.

Butler County Assistant District Attorney Ben Simon said that knowledge — that the same heroin already had caused people to die — is why prosecutors charged Emery with a first-degree felony count of drug delivery resulting in death.

Hays died of a heroin and fentanyl overdose Feb. 2.

Court records say her mother and sister found her in a locked bathroom in her Worth Township home around noon. Near Hays’ body were used bags of heroin marked “Theraflu” in red ink, a needle, two spoons and a razor blade, according to court records.

Court records say Hays’ mother, while waiting for police to arrive, looked on her daughter’s cell phone and found a text message from Emery saying he had gotten her some Theraflu.

Until then, court records say, Hays’ mother had no idea Emery, who appears to have no prior criminal convictions, was involved with drugs.

Police interviewed Emery at the state police barracks in Butler on Feb. 3. Court records say Emery told investigators that the night before Hays died, he sold her four stamp bags of the heroin for $60. The pair stayed awake at his house to “get high,” and Hays left the following morning to go to work.

Emery’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday before District Judge Timothy Shaffer in Slippery Rock.

In addition to the delivery charge, he is charged with criminal conspiracy and possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance.

He remains in Butler County Prison unable to post $100,000 bail.