SUSPECT ARRESTED IN OVERDOSE DEATH

November 14, 2001 00:00

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On Saturday, March 3, 2001, 19-year-old Melissa Joy Flaherty and several friends attended a “rave” party held in a warehouse in Southeast Portland. At 2:00 a.m. she was found outside the building. Appearing sick, Flaherty was taken to the medical tent. Later in the morning her condition worsened and she was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed that Flaherty died from an overdose of the designer drug ecstasy.

The Portland Police Bureau Drugs and Vice Division, with the assistance of the Homicide Detail of the Detective Division, initiated a criminal investigation. The evidence gathered during the criminal investigation was presented to Deputy District Attorney John Horton of the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. On November 9, 2001, a Grand Jury indicted 20-year-old Jeremy Michael Tomsha on 1 count of Manslaughter in the 2nd degree and 6 counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance (Schedule 1) in connection with the death of Flaherty.

Tomsha was arrested on November 13, 2001 and will be arraigned at 2:00 p.m. on November 14, 2001. Photographs of both Tomsha and Flaherty are available via e-mail from the Identification Division by calling (503) 823-0382.

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Public Information Officer:
Sgt. Pete Simpson
Peter.Simpson@portlandoregon.gov
Desk: 503-823-0830
Pager: 503-790-1779

Alternate PIO:
Lt. Mike Marshman
Michael.Marshman@portlandoregon.gov
Desk: 503-823-0010
Pager: 503-790-1779

Portland Police Bureau
1111 SW 2nd Ave, Suite 1526
Portland, Oregon 97204