On October 21, 2025, at approximately 11:01 a.m., the Fullerton Police Department’s Communication Center received a 9-1-1 call from a male reporting that four of his friends had overdosed and were not breathing.
Fullerton Police Officers and Fullerton Fire personnel responded to the 100 block of W. Wilshire Avenue, where they located what appeared to be four deceased adults inside the residence.
Fullerton Police Department Detectives responded and are conducting a death investigation. There is no immediate threat to the public.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Here are the types of criminal charges that could potentially be filed in a case involving multiple overdose deaths, depending on the facts uncovered during the investigation:
- Drug distribution resulting in death
- If someone provided or sold the drugs that caused the overdoses, they could face felony charges under California Health & Safety Code § 11352 or federal law (21 U.S.C. § 841).
- Involuntary manslaughter (Penal Code § 192(b))
- If a person’s negligent actions contributed to the deaths (e.g., failing to seek help or administering drugs), they could be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
- Maintaining a drug house (Health & Safety Code § 11366)
- If the residence was used regularly for drug use or sales, the property owner or tenant could face charges.
- Possession of controlled substances (Health & Safety Code § 11350 or § 11377)
- Anyone found with illegal drugs at the scene could be charged, even if not directly tied to the deaths.
- Child endangerment (Penal Code § 273a)
- If minors were present or exposed to the situation, additional charges could apply.
- Failure to render aid
- While not always criminal, failing to call 9-1-1 promptly or abandoning overdose victims could factor into other charges.
Final charges will depend on toxicology results, witness statements, and whether any surviving individuals were involved in drug distribution or negligence.