US EditionAutopsy Shows New Mexico Sheriff Died From Effects of Fentanyl and Alcohol
- Billy Merrifield, the sheriff of Rio Arriba County, was discovered deceased on April 20, 2025, inside his patrol car near his residence in Abiquiu.
- His death, which occurred after a minor crash, was ruled accidental by medical examiners who identified fentanyl and alcohol poisoning as the cause.
- A toxicology analysis revealed that Merrifield had elevated fentanyl levels in his system, along with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.071, as well as caffeine and erectile dysfunction drugs.
- In 2023, fentanyl contributed to nearly two-thirds of overdose fatalities in New Mexico, prompting family physician Leslie Hayes to express concern about its presence and extreme danger.
- Following Merrifield's death, investigations began and Lorenzo Aguilar was sworn in to lead the Rio Arriba County sheriff’s office amid ongoing fentanyl overdose concerns.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield died of fentanyl, alcohol toxicity
TAOS — After the call went out on Easter Sunday that Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield had been found unresponsive in his patrol unit outside his Abiquiú Reservoir home, more than a dozen of his fellow law enforcement officers…
Winnipeg Free Press
Autopsy shows New Mexico sheriff died from effects of fentanyl and alcohol
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
NMS Labs: Rio Arriba Co. sheriff's cause of death determined to be fentanyl, alcohol
RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) — New Mexico State Labs have released the toxicology report for former Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield, who died in late April. According to the report, Merrifield died from the effects of fentanyl and alcohol. Previous Coverage: 911 call on Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s death released The report states Merrifield's BAC level was 0.071. The manner of death has been determined to be an accident. Merri…
Autopsy shows New Mexico sheriff died from effects of fentanyl and alcohol - The Morning Sun
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Medical investigators have determined that a county sheriff in northern New Mexico died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and alcohol, according to autopsy results made public Thursday. Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield, 50, was found dead inside his patrol vehicle outside his Abiquiu home on Easter morning following a minor crash. The death of the popular sheriff — retained by voters in 2022 after his initial app…
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