UNUSUAL DRUG DEATH SUBJECT OF '48 HOURS'

TAVARES -- The CBS News program 48 Hours plans to tell the story of the
designer-drug-related death of a Clermont woman that resulted in a
first-degree murder charge filed against her boyfriend, who authorities say
furnished her with the lethal drug PMA.

Lake County sheriff`s Detective Ralph D. Fiorenza said he was interviewed
and taped by 48 Hours staffers about two weeks ago. A crew is planning to
return to Lake this weekend to do additional taping, he said.

The show is looking at the deadly new drug PMA -- or
para-methoxyamphetamine -- that is believed to be responsible for six
deaths statewide, including the death of 19-year-old Shari Diane Rich of
Clermont in late August.

Since Rich`s death, her boyfriend Francisco Cardona of Orlando has been
charged with murder. Lake County authorities think it is the first time
anyone has been charged so seriously in connection with the drug, which is
sometimes mistaken for the drug Ecstasy. Cardona`s case may go before a
grand jury next week.

"The main interest is in the PMA," Fiorenza said of 48 Hours` decision to
explore the case here. "Apparently there are other deaths that are involved
[with the drug]. Their ambition is to expose that and warn people."

Fiorenza said he had to get clearance to grant the interviews and discuss
the case with a 48 Hours correspondent. He was taped in his car talking
about the case, the drug and the unique prosecution.

"I was kind of taken aback by it when I first got contacted," Fiorenza
said. "But certainly before more deaths occur, the word should be out there."

Fiorenza was able to charge Cardona with first-degree murder because PMA is
listed as a Schedule One hallucinogen "with a high potential for abuse"
under state law.

The drug can cause a soaring fever and bleeding of the brain and internal
organs.

Cardona told authorities he gave Rich three pills of PMA. She later became
severely ill and stopped breathing. Authorities initially thought Rich`s
death was caused by an overdose of Ecstasy laced with heroin. But
toxicological tests later showed PMA was in her system.

The 48 Hours associate producer working on the episode would not discuss
the show Friday.

The news series, hosted by CBS news anchor Dan Rather and in its 13th
season, "delves into a single subject, examining it from multiple angles
with its saturation coverage and action-driven style," according to the
program`s Web site.

Fiorenza said 48 Hours plans to air the program in late November.