Background: The Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne, Indiana (Google Maps). Inset left: Keana Swafford (Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Mungovan). Inset right: Jeremy Duvall (Allen County Sheriff”s Office).
An Indiana man faces serious charges after allegedly providing his girlfriend with a lethal dose of fentanyl, resulting in her death. Jeremy Duvall, aged 45, has been formally charged with dealing a controlled substance leading to death, as per court documents accessed by Law&Crime. Although the charge was recently filed, the tragic incident reportedly took place earlier this summer.
The events unfolded on June 27 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Duvall and his 29-year-old girlfriend, Keana Swafford, were staying at a residence. According to court documents, Duvall claimed he saw Swafford standing by a bed smoking fentanyl before he fell asleep. Upon waking, he discovered her unresponsive, lying face down on the floor, local ABC and NBC affiliate WPTA reported.
Authorities suspect that Duvall was involved in drug dealing at the time. He hesitated before calling 911 for help. By the time emergency services arrived, Duvall had already left the scene. Despite their efforts, first responders were unable to revive Swafford, and she was declared dead at the location.
The investigation led law enforcement to secure a warrant to search Duvall’s phone, revealing messages that offered insight into his feelings about the incident. One message reportedly read, “Trust me there hasn’t been a minute that passed where I haven’t thought about what could have been done differently. I would give my life for hers, and she knows that. God knows that, and God and [Swafford] know what happened; that’s all that matters. I don’t care what anyone has to say or feels about it,” according to a report by the Fort Wayne-based outlet.
Law enforcement officers obtained a warrant for the suspect’s phone, and on it, they found messages that they believed illustrated his state of mind about his girlfriend’s death.
“Trust me there hasn’t been a minute that past where I haven’t thought about what could have been done differently,” one message read, per the Fort Wayne-based outlet. “I would give my life for hers and she knows that God knows that and God and [Swafford] knows what happened that’s all that matters I don’t care what anyone has to say or feels about it.”
In another message, Duvall admitted to giving his girlfriend the fentanyl, according to the court documents.
Duvall was arrested a month later for felony narcotics possession, and on the way to the jail, he allegedly made an incriminating statement: “It is kinda like my fault.” He has reportedly remained in jail since.
Court records show that the defendant had an initial hearing for his dealing charge on Friday. He will appear in court again on Nov. 26.
Swafford, who had three children, is remembered for being “bright, bold, and fierce in her love for those around her,” according to her obituary, which also mentions Duvall.
