ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — The key witness in a murder trial set to begin next month involving the distribution of fentanyl-laced drugs has died of a drug overdose herself, court documents reveal.
Natalie Hersch’s body was found in a St. Louis Park apartment bathroom on Feb. 8, and police are now investigating Hersch’s recent interactions in an attempt to find the source of the drugs that killed her, according to several search warrant affidavits recently publicly filed in Hennepin County court.
Hersch, 28, was expected to testify in the March 13 murder trial of her friend, Monica Jo Gould, a 24-year-old South Saint Paul woman accused of causing the death of Amy Portillo, 23, at a house in Eden Prairie in August 2021. Gould faces one count of murder in the third degree.
According to the criminal complaint, Hersch drove Gould to the house and sat in the car as Gould and the victim smoked heroin. Hersch told police that when they left, Gould “was concerned the victim had too much [heroin] already.” After Portillo died, Hersch also told police Gould expressed guilt and knew Portillo’s death was her fault, the complaint said.
Gould posted $100,000 bail in Feb. 2022 and has been out of custody pending her trial.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has not filed for any changes regarding Gould’s trial next month.
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