Identities released of four people who died of suspected fentanyl overdose in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the families and friends of the four victims who died in South Lake Tahoe of a drug-related incident attempt to come to terms with their deaths, their names have been released.

On Monday, February 12, 2024, South Lake Tahoe residents Abraham Lemus (34), Adam Joy (35), Keely Pereira (33), and Douglas County, Nev. resident Clifford Joy (38) all died at a home on Roger Avenue.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is continuing the investigation of the four deaths. Examination of the substance located on scene tested presumptively as fentanyl, however autopsies and toxicology reports are still pending. Investigative and technical assistance continues to be provided by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.

If you have any information about this incident, please email cybertips@cityofslt.us.

El Dorado County South Lake Tahoe Behavioral Health clinic will be offering a grief and loss support group on Thursday, February 15 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for drop-in support to the community. They are located at 1900 Lake Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe. This will be facilitated by a licensed clinician and aimed at helping people who are struggling with the events of the past week, and need general support, want to connect and process their feelings, and get information about grief and loss.

For individuals needing a brief individual intervention related to their emotional response to recent events, they can call the South Lake Tahoe Behavioral Health clinic directly at 530-573-7970 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A clinical staff member will be scheduled to provide 1-3 therapeutic sessions related to the events of the past week and will help people navigate to supportive services through their health provider if needed.

Don't forget, dial 988 before it's too late when needed to talk to a suicide crisis professional.

The risks of fentanyl have been making the headlines, both locally, regionally, and nationally. Illegally made pills and trafficked powders such as cocaine are mixed with a variety of substances, one of which can be fentanyl. To help combat opioid overdoses, naloxone (Narcan) is a life-saving medication that can rapidly and temporarily reverse an overdose of them, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications.

Counterfeit pills or other street drugs (i.e.- MDMA, cocaine, and others) may include lethal doses of fentanyl. Naloxone is easy to use and small to carry. Naloxone can be used without medical training or authorization and can be used on anyone at risk, as there are no effects on someone without opioids in their system.

Narcan is available to pick up for free, and no questions asked, at the following locations in South Lake Tahoe:

Barton Emergency Department-2170 South Ave. South Lake Tahoe, CA (entrance located in the back of Barton Memorial Hospital). This is the only location on this list that is open 24/7.

Barton Community Health Center-2201 South Ave. South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Barton Urgent Care + Barton Primary Care at Stateline-155 Hwy 50 #100, Stateline, Nev.

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless-Red Lodge, 1137 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

El Dorado County Behavioral Health Services-1900 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. They also have some fentanyl test strips.

Narcan can also be obtained at a pharmacy without a prescription but there is a charge.

Recognizing Opioid Overdose

An opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency attention. Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose is essential to saving lives.

Call 911 immediately if a person exhibits ANY of the following symptoms:

Unresponsive to sound or touch
Their face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
Their body goes limp - slow or irregular breathing
Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops
Pinpoint pupils

If you witness an overdose, it’s important to take action right away including administering Narcan and calling 911. While Narcan can reverse the effects of an overdose, it is temporary, lasting between 30-90 minutes, and a longer-lasting opioid may outlive it, causing a person to go back into overdose. California’s 911 Good Samaritan law provides limited protection from arrest, charge and prosecution for people who seek emergency medical assistance at the scene of a suspected drug overdose.

All South Lake Tahoe first responders carry a dose of naloxone.