Nashua Fentanyl Death: Alleged Dealer Charged

NASHUA, NH — A Nashua man was charged with selling a fatal dose of fentanyl to a woman who died earlier this year, authorities announced Monday.

Kevin Manchester, 27, now faces a possible life sentence.

Police said on Jan. 22, Manchester sold fentanyl to Michelle MacLeod, who later died of an overdose. MacLeod was a young mother.

Fentanyl is a pain reliever and frequently used for heroin withdrawal. It's extremely potent—up to 100 times stronger than morphine.

Fentanyl abuse in New Hampshire is a "crisis," authorities said. So far this year, there have been at least 54 overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl, according to state Attorney General Joseph Foster. Last year, it was cited in 280 deaths across the state.

"Fentanyl is a serial killer and those who sell it to our citizens will be held responsible," Foster said.

Manchester will be arraigned Thursday in Hillsborough County Superior Court. He was charged with felony drug distribution—death resulting. That charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison with parole.

Manchester is well-known to local police. Last year, he was charged with heroin possession in Hollis. Earlier this year, he was charged with selling drugs to undercover informants, according to the Nashua Telegraph.

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Photo: Kevin Manchester. (Credit: Hollis police)