An Elkmont woman is facing a manslaughter charge for allegedly distributing fentanyl that is believed to have led to the overdose death of a 54-year-old man on Saturday.

Rebecca Myrick, 60, was arrested and booked into the Limestone County Jail on Saturday. She faces penalties under a new state law passed in April that states “a person commits the crime of manslaughter if he knowingly sells, furnishes, gives, delivers or distributes a controlled substance containing fentanyl, any mixture containing fentanyl, any fentanyl controlled synthetic substance, or any fentanyl analog controlled synthetic substance” that results in the death of someone.

No bond has been established for Myrick.

She is accused of providing fentanyl to Lawrence Ward Light, who was found dead around 7:55 p.m. Saturday after Limestone County deputies responded to a call in the 15000 block of Witty Mill Road in Elkmont about a possible overdose.

Law enforcement officials said they believe Myrick gave Light the fentanyl.

Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said in a news release that the county is experiencing an increase in fentanyl overdoses, which “endangers not only those struggling with addiction, but our entire community.”

“First responders are now dealing with this dangerous substance every day, risking their safety as they work to save lives.” McLaughlin said in the release. “We will relentlessly pursue and make arrests whenever we can, especially in cases where lives are lost to this devastating drug.”

Conformable data provided by the state67 drug overdoses reported by EMS workers in Limestone County in 2023.

The Sheriff’s Office says if anyone has information about people distributing fentanyl in Limestone County, to submit a tip by calling (256) 232-0111 or through the Sheriff’s Department’s website.