Opelousas, LA – The Opelousas Police Department has arrested Raketra Tyler, a local woman, on charges of second-degree murder following a fatal overdose incident in August 2024. Tyler is accused of distributing drugs containing fentanyl to a woman who later died from the overdose.
On the evening of August 2024, police were called to an apartment located in the 800 block of Lemoine Drive, where they found an unresponsive woman. Despite life-saving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities soon identified narcotics at the location and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to the Opelousas Police Department, detectives found evidence of drug use in the apartment and, after speaking with witnesses, determined that Tyler allegedly provided the fatal narcotics to the victim. The drugs, authorities believe, contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that has been linked to a growing number of overdose deaths across the country.
Following a thorough investigation, police arrested Tyler on March 29, 2025. During questioning, she allegedly admitted to supplying the drugs to the woman on the night of her death.
Opelousas Police Chief Graig Leblanc commended the community for its role in the investigation, expressing gratitude to the citizens who came forward with crucial information. Chief Leblanc also urged anyone with additional details about the case to contact the Opelousas Police Department at (337) 948-2500. The department assured that all calls could remain anonymous and encouraged the public to continue assisting in the investigation, as further arrests may be possible.
This arrest underscores the continuing dangers of fentanyl in communities across the United States, where the drug has become a central factor in the opioid epidemic. As authorities work to address the growing crisis, they emphasize the importance of vigilance and cooperation from the public to help curb the spread of illegal narcotics.
Tyler’s booking on second-degree murder charges is a stark reminder of the potentially deadly consequences of drug distribution, particularly when fentanyl is involved. The investigation remains ongoing, and the Opelousas Police Department has indicated that more developments may emerge in the coming weeks.