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Odessa Woman Charged with Murder in Fentanyl Death of 22-Year-Old
Nicole Marie Jones accused of selling fentanyl to victim prior to overdose death
Published on Feb. 5, 2026
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The Odessa Police Department has arrested 40-year-old Nicole Marie Jones and charged her with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a 22-year-old man who overdosed on fentanyl. Authorities say the investigation revealed Jones had previously sold fentanyl to the victim and had been arrested for drug dealing before the fatal incident.
Why it matters
The case highlights the growing opioid crisis in Texas and the deadly consequences of fentanyl distribution, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in holding drug dealers accountable for overdose deaths.
The details
On January 9th, officers responded to a call about an unconscious and unresponsive 22-year-old male on Kingston Avenue in Odessa. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy determined the cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the victim's phone, which revealed that Nicole Marie Jones had previously sold fentanyl to the victim. Jones had also been arrested before for fentanyl distribution but was out on bond at the time of the fatal incident.
- On January 9, 2026, officers responded to the call about the 22-year-old victim.
- On January 30, 2026, Nicole Marie Jones was booked into the Ector County Jail.
- On February 5, 2026, the Odessa Police Department announced Jones' arrest.
The players
Nicole Marie Jones
A 40-year-old woman charged with first-degree murder for allegedly selling fentanyl to the 22-year-old victim prior to his overdose death.
Odessa Police Department
The law enforcement agency that investigated the overdose death, obtained a search warrant, and arrested Nicole Marie Jones.
What’s next
Jones is being held on $250,000 bail, and the judge will decide whether to allow her to be released on bond.
The takeaway
This tragic case underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat the fentanyl epidemic, including enhanced law enforcement efforts to target drug dealers, expanded access to addiction treatment, and public education campaigns to raise awareness of the deadly risks of opioid abuse.
