WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN DRUG OVERDOSE CASE

FINCASTLE, Va. -- A grand jury on Monday indicted a Cloverdale woman on
charges of second-degree murder and drug distribution in the death of a
teen-ager whom authorities said overdosed on a painkiller.

Authorities allege that Melanie D. Benzenhafer, 23, sold the teen-ager
Lortab, a widely prescribed drug similar to OxyContin.

Sandra Warden attempted to awaken her 17-year-old son, Brian Kristofer,
from a nap around 3 p.m. on Saturday. When he wouldn't wake up, Warden
called 911.

Rescue workers attempted to revive Kristofer, but he was pronounced dead at
the hospital. Warden told The Roanoke Times an autopsy revealed that drugs
led to her son's death.

Delbert Dudding, chief deputy of the Botetourt sheriff's department, would
not say what led police to suspect Benzenhafer.

Benzenhafer was held Monday night in the Botetourt County jail.

Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom said this is the first time he sought
a murder charge in a drug distribution case. The law permits it when
authorities believe someone who sold drugs is responsible for a death, he said.