ST. LANDRY DEATHS RAISE SUSPICIONS ABOUT TAINTED DRUGS

Marcus Goudeau, 22, and John Marcotte, 40, both died Friday morning
2-1/2 hours apart and in separate homes. A third unidentified man was
in critical condition in the ICU of Opelousas General Health System,
according to St. Landry Parish Chief Deputy Laura Balthazar.

While Balthazar would not speculate on the cause of the deaths, she
did confirm that drug screens were taken from all three men. Test
results may be in today or Tuesday, she said.

The deaths occurred the same day Balthazar and Chief Detective Rene
Speyrer announced their investigation into tainted drugs being sold
in Melville. According to Balthazar, the problem may cover the entire
southwestern region of the state.

"We should have an answer about the make-up of the drugs on Monday,"
Balthazar said Friday. "This problem may not be contained to Melville."

Speyrer would not specify whether the drugs were crack cocaine, pills
or treated marijuana. Balthazar said once the toxicology screens are
returned from the coroner's office, she would be able to comment on
the quality of the drugs and the possible tainted element.

In both death instances, family members made medical emergency calls
to 911. The call for Marcus Goudeau, 22, 435 S. Gum St., Melville,
came at about 8:30 a.m. Friday. Paramedics were called about John
Marcotte, 40, 127 Marks St., Melville, at about 11 a.m.

Goudeau was taken by St. Landry EMS ambulance to Opelousas General
Health System. He was in critical condition and died at the hospital.
Marcotte died at his home while paramedics were working on him.

According to McKeel, Goudeau has strong family ties to the community
and is a life-long resident of Melville. Marcotte's father previously
lived in Melville, but Marcotte moved to town only six months ago,
the chief said.

"The circumstances in which they died make us suspicious of the
deaths, and that is why we asked the coroner's office to perform
toxicology screens," Speyrer said. "We will know more when those test
results come in."

Speyrer warned parish citizens to stay away from all illegal drugs,
and to be particularly cautious about drugs being sold in the Melville area.

"We continuously warn people that the abuse of controlled dangerous
substances is inherently dangerous. Any type of drug not commercially
manufactured is dangerous. You don't know what is in it. It could
contain anything," he said. "Anything that anyone takes that was not
specifically prescribed for you by a doctor and used according to the
prescription is dangerous."