In Carter County, Tennessee, a troubling case has emerged involving an Elizabethton resident who faces serious legal charges related to a fatal drug overdose. Brooklyn Sue Collins, a 23-year-old woman, has been implicated in the tragic death of a man who succumbed to an overdose, leading to her arrest on murder charges.
Earlier in 2024, Collins was apprehended as part of a broader investigation into drug trafficking. This week, the Carter County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) revealed she now faces additional charges, including second-degree murder and the sale of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The investigation dates back to November 2023, when authorities discovered the deceased male at his home, a tragic victim of a drug overdose. According to the CCSO, a crucial breakthrough in the case came from a digital forensic examination of the deceased’s cell phone. This analysis revealed communications suggesting that Collins supplied the drugs responsible for the overdose.
Following these findings, a Carter County Grand Jury issued an indictment against Collins on November 3. Subsequently, she was arrested and brought to the Carter County Detention Center. As of the latest reports, Collins remains in custody with bail set at $50,000.
An indictment charging Collins was handed down by a Carter County Grand Jury on Nov. 3.
On Wednesday, Collins was arrested and taken to the Carter County Detention Center. As of Thursday, Collins is being held on a $50,000 bond.
“Earlier this year, Collins was arrested in April in connection with an investigation into a drug trafficking conspiracy, which was code-named Operation Blue Skies. In that joint investigation by the Carter County Sheriff’s Office and the First Judicial District Drug Task Force, Collins was one of 10 individuals indicted on various charges relating to the trafficking of fentanyl.”
Collins was charged with the following in connection with the drug trafficking case, according to the CCSO:
- Conspiracy to Distribute 150 grams or more of controlled substance
- Possession of controlled substance 15 grams or more
- Sale of schedule II controlled substance
The CCSO reported that Collins is now the second person charged in “Operation Blue Skies,” who also faces a murder charge in connection with an overdose death linked to drug trafficking.
“I would like to commend my officers for their hard work and diligence in investigating overdose deaths and drug trafficking in our community,” Sheriff Mike Fraley said in the release. “Our officers are working constantly to identify and prosecute those who sell drugs, particularly those who sell drugs that lead to death. If you are dealing drugs, we will prosecute you. And, if you sell drugs to someone who overdoses and dies, you will be held accountable for their death.”
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are pending.
