Tainted narcotics may have led to Joliet deaths

Police are investigating whether tainted narcotics have led to at least five deaths in Joliet over the last week.

On Sept. 22, police and firefighters were called to the 700 block of Landau Avenue where a 40-year-old man was found dead inside a residence. A 35-year-old man was also found unconscious, but was revived by firefighters.

Detectives said the death is being investigated as an overdose and cocaine was found at the scene.

"Detectives are awaiting toxicology reports to determine if any other substance was present such as fentanyl," Sgt. Chris Botzum wrote. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid sometimes added to enhance the potency of other Drugs, but also increases the likelihood of an overdose.

Two days later, four unresponsive people were reported in the 400 block of Bridge Street. A 39-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man died while a 30-year-old man and 28-year-old man were hospitalized. Substances that appear to be cocaine and fentanyl were again found at the scene.

"When people use illegal narcotics, they never know what is truly in them. Unfortunately this can lead to people overdosing on potentially fatal substances," Police Chief Al Roechner said. "We want to let the public know we are fully investigating these cases.'

On Sept. 25, a welfare check brought police to the 100 block of St. Jude Avenue where a 60-year-old man was found dead with a "white powdery substance" found nearby, police said. A 10:41 a.m. Sept. 26, a 57-year-old man was found dead in a hotel room in the 400 block of South Larkin Avenue with white powder nearby.