Bemidji Woman Charged With Third‑Degree Murder After Fentanyl Overdose

Sarrell Marie Jack, 35, of Bemidji, was charged with third-degree murder and third-degree drug possession after authorities said she sold fentanyl that resulted in a fatal overdose. Police said the confrontation began when officers responded to a residence on Conifer Avenue Northwest about an unconscious woman; despite life-saving measures including Narcan administration, the woman later died from an anoxic brain injury.

Investigators reported that Facebook Messenger conversations tied the victim to an account using the name "Relly Rell." Those messages showed the woman asking about drugs, arranging to come over with $150, and receiving a CashApp username. The account indicated the person was home on Rako Street and asked whether the victim wanted "SLO," a street term for fentanyl. Police executed a search warrant at the Rako Street residence the day after the overdose and said they found more than 10 grams of methamphetamine, over 1 gram of fentanyl, a digital scale with residue, multiple doses of Narcan and a makeup box that matched witness descriptions.

Authorities arrested Jack early on Jan. 20 after she reportedly hid inside a vehicle under household items. Police said Jack denied knowing about the drugs but acknowledged that she had lived at the Rako Street address for three years. Court records show prior felony convictions for first-degree driving while intoxicated and fifth-degree drug possession.

Third-degree murder in Minnesota can carry up to 25 years in prison or a $40,000 fine. The third-degree drug possession charge Jack faces carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison or a $250,000 fine. Jack remained in custody at the Beltrami County Jail at the time of reporting.

For Bemidji and Beltrami County residents, the case underscores two intersecting concerns: the lethal potency of fentanyl and the ways buyers and sellers use social media and payment apps to arrange transactions. Local neighborhoods that pride themselves on tight-knit connections now confront the reality that online contacts can lead to life-or-death outcomes on familiar streets like Rako and Conifer.

The criminal case will proceed through the county courts, where prosecutors must present digital messages, physical evidence and the timeline that led from the messaging exchange to the fatal overdose. For neighbors and families, the immediate effect is heightened unease and renewed focus on prevention, response and support for those at risk of substance use harms. The case also signals that law enforcement in Bemidji is treating fentanyl-related sales that result in death as possible homicide, a development with implications for community safety and for how residents report suspected drug activity.