On April 30 — Fentanyl Awareness Day — Alaska State Troopers arrested 45-year-old Sean Mobley of Wasilla, on charges connected to the November death of 16-year-old Alena Toennis. Mobley is charged with Murder in the Second Degree, Manslaughter, and Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the First Degree.
That controlled substance was fentanyl.
According to a statement released by the Alaska State Troopers, the months-long investigation conducted by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation determined that Mobley provided fentanyl to Toennis and later abandoned her on a trail in Wasilla while she was experiencing an overdose. Toennis died as a result of the fentanyl overdose.
The investigation began on Nov. 15, when the Alaska State Troopers were notified at 7:21 am that a female was found deceased on a powerline trail in Wasilla. Evidence at the scene suggested her death was suspicious, and the Alaska Bureau of Investigation assumed responsibility for the case. Her body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
On Nov. 18, the body was positively identified as Alena Toennis, and her next of kin were notified. The following day, the Alaska State Troopers provided an update indicating that there were no traumatic injuries found during the autopsy. Investigators spoke with all involved individuals, including the person last seen with Toennis.
At the time, troopers stated that they believed the incident was isolated and not random, and they were not requesting assistance from the public. They also noted that forensic and toxicology results would be crucial to charging determinations.
On April 30, troopers arrested Mobley, who has been remanded to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility. The case is being prosecuted by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions within the Alaska Department of Law.
Why are we calling a 16 year old girl a “woman” in this story? Is there a special reason?