Accused Drug Dealer Charged In Woman's Overdose Death

ZION, IL — A Lake County drug dealer faces a drug-induced homicide charge for allegations he provided the drugs that caused the death of a 33-year-old woman earlier this month.

Samuel McClain, 35, of Zion, was arrested Tuesday and is expected to appear for a detention hearing Friday afternoon in Lake County Circuit Court. Prosecutors have filed a petition to detain McClain,with the hopes a judge will grant the motion and order McClain remain behind bars as court proceedings move forward.

The charges come after detectives launched an investigation into the death of Kayla Robinson, 33, who was found unresponsive in her home in the 2300 block of Elisha Avenue in Zion on Feb. 3. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and results from an autopsy show fentanyl and alprazolam toxicity caused her death, according to a news release from the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

During their investigation, detectives learned "McClain had interacted with Robinson hours before her death" and sold her the drugs that led to her overdose, prosecutors said.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart commended police for their work on the case and stressed the importance of prosecuting this and similar cases.

“We will compassionately help those experiencing addiction, engage in harm reduction strategies to save lives, and we will tell drug dealers that they must stop,” Rinehart said. “If you cause someone’s death by dealing drugs, we will find you, prosecute you, and seek to jail you — without the ability to post cash bond now that we ended cash bail.”

Authorities are encouraging community members struggling with substance use to seek help through local addiction services.