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Man faces murder charge in OD death

By Richelle Bailey | The McDowell News

Published: November 28, 2008

Doctors say it was an overdose that killed a 42-year-old Marion woman in August, so a grand jury says her nephew, the man who supplied the drugs, is going to be held accountable.
On Nov. 3, the local panel indicted Alfred John Bates, 22, of Ridge Road in Marion on one count each of murder, sale of methadone and delivery of methadone.
A grand jury meets behind closed doors to consider if enough evidence is present for a case to be heard in Superior Court.
Carolyn Diane McMahan Davis was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest at her home on Lester Hollifield Road on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 30. Davis was taken to The McDowell Hospital, where doctors tried unsuccessfully to revive her and pronounced her dead, according to Detective Dan Shook of the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
"Toxicology tests showed that the primary cause of death was a methadone overdose," Shook stated. "Mr. Bates was receiving methadone from the local clinic. He supplied (Davis) with methadone hours prior to her death."
Davis was Bates' aunt, said the investigator.
Methadone is a painkiller but is often used to treat addictions. It reduces the cravings and withdrawal symptoms caused by drug use by blocking the "high" and preventing the intense euphoric rush of some narcotics.