Richard Thorpe, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office TAMPA, Fla. - A man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in a double, fat
TAMPA, Fla. – A man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in a double, fatal overdose from May of 2023.
On May 12, 2023, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a death investigation near the 2000 block of East 131st Avenue in Tampa, where Christian Castro-Rivera, 33, was found unresponsive.
He was transported to a nearby hospital but pronounced deceased upon arrival. After a thorough investigation, detectives found Rivera had text messages with an unknown individual asking how he was feeling following the consumption of drugs they had taken together.
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Based on the text messages between Rivera and that individual, our deputies conducted a well-fare check at the other person’s residence. Upon arrival, they located a second deceased male, Cristian Herrera, 28.
HCSO Detectives were called to both scenes, where they found small bags with a white substance inside. This substance was tested and found to be fentanyl. A further search of both the individual’s phones also found a narcotics deal was arranged only a few hours prior with a man identified as Richard Thorpe, 40.
The investigation continued for several months and ultimately showed the two victims intended to purchase cocaine from Thorpe but received fentanyl and died as a result of using that substance.
On December 14, 2023, Thorpe was charged with the following:
- First-Degree Murder, Which Resulted from the Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance x2
Richard Thorpe was located and arrested on December 20, 2023, and taken into custody without incident.
“In the wake of a harrowing months-long investigation, our dedicated detectives found the truth, that these individuals unknowingly fell victim to fentanyl, a lethal drug that robbed them of their futures,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Through tireless efforts, teamHCSO, exposed the criminal behind this devastating tragedy. I commend our deputies for their commitment to justice and for bringing closure to these grieving families.”
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