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Ft. Wayne police warn of heroin overdoses following 3 deaths

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Investigators have responded to three death investigations in less than 24 hours that could be the result of “suspected” heroin overdoses. Police are warning IV drug users to beware of a “potentially deadly heroin” being sold on the streets.

A release from the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Allen County Coroner’s office indicates the potency of the heroin being sold on the streets is so strong that a person would need immediate medical assistance once injected.

One of the investigations was linked to a body found in the 700 block of Florence Avenue, according to FWPD spokesperson Michael Joyner. Fort Wayne police responded around 6:45 a.m. Saturday.

Joyner was able to confirm a second investigation on Hensch Street, which intersects with Florence Avenue a block away from the first investigation.

The location of the third investigation isn’t known, however Joyner said they were all in the northwest central region. At all three scenes, Joyner said investigators found items related to heroin.

It’s not known if autopsies for the three people have been scheduled yet. Toxicology tests results confirming a heroin overdose as a cause of death can take about three weeks to return.

Anyone with information on who is distributing heroin has been asked to contact police at 260-427-1222 and report the activity immediately. Police believe that phone call could save the life of a loved one.

The release also suggests that family members or friends of known IV drug users to check on the user and inform them of the potential risks associated with injecting this narcotic.