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 home on Oct. 9.

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

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

On Oct. 9, paramedics arrived before state police to a possible substance overdose at about 11 p.m. 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, police said.

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

Hanson said 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, police said. Hanson also told police the woman was not breathing when he checked on her in the bathroom, and he called 911.

Hanson said the woman had used about 15 bags of heroin every four hours in the day and a half prior to the incident, according to police.

An autopsy found the woman died of combined drug poisoning.

State police are continuing the investigation.

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