ADRIAN — A Blissfield man who died in November has been identified as the victim in a fatal fentanyl overdose now linked to a drug trafficking arrest.
According to the Blissfield Police Department, a 34-year-old man was found deceased in his home on November 7, 2024. Officers responding to the scene located suspected narcotics, prompting assistance from the Michigan State Police’s Region of Irish Hills Narcotics Office — also known as RHINO.
RHINO detectives traced the origin of the drugs to an address in Adrian, where they executed a search warrant and seized significant quantities of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, along with multiple firearms.
Eric Lee Cooper, 43, of Adrian, was arrested at the scene and initially charged with eight felony counts related to narcotics and weapons possession. In March, an additional charge was added: delivery of a controlled substance causing death.
An autopsy confirmed the man died from fentanyl toxicity. Investigators say evidence shows Cooper delivered the substance that caused the fatal overdose.
The investigation remains ongoing.