Prosecutors in Washington announced on Monday that a woman stands accused of murdering a man last month by spiking his drink with fentanyl.
On October 5, authorities from the Cowlitz Tribe responded to a call at the Ilani Casino Hotel regarding a man who had died. Investigations revealed that 34-year-old Raylin Benzie allegedly administered a lethal dose of fentanyl to the victim, identified as 38-year-old Arslan, with the intent to rob him, as reported by KPTV. (The victim’s legal identity was confirmed via his state driver’s license.)
Benzie, taken into custody on October 31, reportedly confessed to officers that she resorted to using fentanyl because she neglected to bring a date rape drug intended to sedate Arslan for the robbery. Surveillance cameras captured Benzie spending an hour in Arslan’s hotel room before she emerged alone. Footage later showed her returning with another man, staying for a brief seven minutes before leaving, according to The Chronicle.
The following day, Arslan was discovered dead inside the hotel room.
“No, no, no, he was f**king snoring,” Benzie allegedly exclaimed when detectives informed her of Arslan’s death.
Benzie reportedly recounted that in September, Arslan proposed giving her $1,200 in casino winnings in exchange for sexual favors. On October 4, he allegedly handed her a casino voucher worth $1,280.
According to KATU, Benzie and Arslan did not have sex. Benzie reportedly told investigators that she did not feel bad about taking his money because he had disrespected her.
A search of Benzie’s phone uncovered alleged text messages suggesting she knew she killed Arslan.
“I PANICKED AND DID SOMETHING DUMB I NEED OUT OF HERE PLEASE…I COULD GO AWAY FOR A VERY LONG TIME,” one text reads, according to KATU.
Other messages indicated that Benzie needed money because she totaled her car and was about to be evicted.
“I’m bored and I’ve been putting in work on this dude that I’m gonna bet he’s got 100k in his bank account right now,” she wrote, according to The Chronicle.
When asked why someone would just give her that much money, Benzie allegedly responded, “Lol no I’m gunna get to know him then drug him to sleep n take it.”
The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the only drug present in Arslan’s system was fentanyl.
Benzie was charged with first-degree murder, controlled substances homicide, placing poison in a drink, first-degree robbery, and second-degree theft.
She remains jailed on $10 million bail.
