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EDENTON – In December of 2023, Chowan County had at least three fatal overdoses and several non-fatal overdoses within approximately 15 days.

This week, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) arrested two people in connection with those deaths.

The victims, Janice Chilcutt (66), Ronald Adderly (61), and April Tapia (24), are believed to have died of an apparent drug overdose. At the request of the Edenton Police Department, SBI agents initiated an investigation into the deaths of Chilcutt and Adderly. The SBI was requested by the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death of Tapia.

On Monday, Sept. 16, a Chowan County grand jury indicted Steve Allen Patrick, Jr., and Ja’Nyryah White, both of Edenton.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, Patrick and White were arrested by the SBI, Chowan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Edenton Police Department.

Patrick has been charged with two counts of death by distribution of certain controlled substances related to the deaths of Chilcutt and Adderly. After going before a magistrate at the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office, Patrick was issued a $500,000 secured bond.

White has been charged with one count of death by distribution of certain controlled substances for the death of Tapia. After going before a magistrate at the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office, White was issued a $250,000 secured bond and transferred to the Albemarle District Jail.