Feb 27, 2020 2 min read

A Washington couple is facing drug delivery resulting in death charges for providing a man with cocaine laced with fentanyl. 

State police also charged Robert Michael Hayes, Jr., 38, and Ashley Renee Matthews, 33, both of 300 Burton Ave., with criminal use of a communication facility, possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the criminal complaints, Brandon Howard, of Washington, was found dead in his apartment at the age of 37 on Dec. 21, 2019.

The complaint states he overdosed on a combination of cocaine and fentanyl.

Police said that Howard communicated with both Hayes and Matthews via Facebook Messenger in the days preceding his death about the cocaine.

According to the complaint, Hayes and Matthews were in a relationship.

Police interviewed Hayes about Howard’s death on Feb. 18. He told police that he sold cocaine and that he was with Matthews when he provided Howard with the drugs.

In one text message, Hayes warned Howard not to take a large amount. According to the complaint, Hayes admitted to sending the message, and said he did so because he did not feel well after ingesting cocaine from the same batch.

According to Howard’s obituary, he was a graduate of Washington High School and worked as a computer numerical control machinist for Touchstone Advanced Composites in Triadelphia, W. Va. 

“Mr. Howard was an avid sports fan and enjoyed cooking, music, playing guitar and especially spending time with his children,” his obituary states.

Hayes and Matthews were placed in the Washington County jail on Tuesday. District Judge Michael Manfredi denied both of them bail, according to online court records.