North Port man faces manslaughter charge after woman’s overdose death

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
Michael Stankus. Credit: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

A North Port man was arrested Monday after deputies say he sold drugs to a woman who later overdosed and died.

The North Port Police Department says that in June 2019, Michael Stankus, 47, sold a number of drugs that resulted in the death of a 59-year-old North Port woman. Investigators found that Stankus and the woman messaged each other about the transaction before the woman’s death.

An autopsy and toxicology report revealed her cause of death was an overdose of the drugs diazepam, hydromorphone and cocaine.

More recently, police say an undercover detective was able to purchase fentanyl from Stankus, resulting in charges for selling a controlled substance.

Stankus is being held at the Sarasota County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

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