2022 Cape Cod Overdose Death Yields Manslaughter Charges

BARNSTABLE, MA — A Cape Cod man will face manslaughter charges relating to an overdose death in April 2022, the Cape and Islands District Attorney announced.

Terrell Peters, 27, of Marstons Mills, has been arraigned for his role relating to the death. He is charged with manslaughter, distribution of a class A substance, abandonment of a child under the age of 10, reckless endangerment of a child, withholding evidence from a criminal procedure and conspiracy to violate drug law.

On April 9, 2022, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Barnstable Police received a 911 call from a 9-year-old boy stating his parents needed help. Barnstable Police and EMS arrived on the scene to find both parents unresponsive and suffering from an apparent overdose.

Both parents were transported to Cape Cod Hospital. The woman survived but Kelby Karnes was pronounced dead at 12:07 a.m. on April 10, 2022.

An investigation found that Peters was on scene at the time of the apparent overdose and fled after directing the 9-year-old to call 911. Further investigation reveals that Peters distributed a quantity of fentanyl to both people who overdosed.

Peters was held on $50,000 cash bail and is due back in court on Sept. 13.