Sloan Hanson

Pennsylvania State Police have charged a 70-year-old Clearfield Township man with murder after his live-in girlfriend was found dead as a result of drug poisoning in October.

Police said Sloan Dale Hanson supplied his girlfriend, Kimberly Ray, 55, with heroin that he purchased by driving to Clairton in Allegheny County, leading to her death at his October Drive home on Oct. 9.

Hanson was charged with felony third-degree murder, drug delivery resulting in death and intent to deliver substances; and misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter in relation to the death.

Hanson’s is in custody at the Butler County Prison, and his bond has been set at $150,000.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. Feb. 4 before District Judge Lewis Stoughton.

Paramedics arrived before state police to a possible substance overdose at about 11 p.m. Oct. 9 at Hanson’s residence and declared the woman deceased at the scene, according to the criminal complaint. Paramedics told police they observed multiple syringes in the residence and were told by Hanson she used heroin before her death.

The next day, Hanson identified himself as the woman’s boyfriend and said the two had lived at the residence for about one year. He then told police the woman had been addicted to heroin and had not left their house in several weeks.

Hanson told police he would drive to Allegheny County to purchase heroin for the woman, and prepared it for her, then she spent time in the bathroom by herself. Hanson also told police the woman was not breathing when he checked on her in the bathroom, and he called 911.

In a subsequent interview, Hanson told police the woman had not been able to walk for 1 1/2 weeks, had not moved from her chair in several days and had not eaten for two days. He said the woman had used about 15 bags of heroin every four hours in the past 1 1/2 days.

Hanson had moved her into the bathroom Oct. 9 and said she was cold to the touch, had fixed and dilated pupils and shallow breathing, police said. According to the criminal complaint, Hanson said he did chest compressions on the woman and got her breathing for a short time before he stopped and called 911.

An autopsy found the woman died of combined drug poisoning.

State police are continuing the investigation.