On August 26, 2023, the two women who overdosed were dropped off at the emergency room at Novato Community Hospital. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Specialized Investigative Unit responded to assist the Novato Police Department at the hospital.

One of the women was pronounced dead at the hospital. The second victim survived after being placed into a medically induced coma the night of the incident.

Novato Police located the suspect, Callen Sheffler of Santa Rosa, at a nearby parking lot. He told police he had driven the two victims to the Emergency Room and dropped them off.

Scheffler was arrested on an unrelated drug charge and an outstanding warrant and booked into the Marin County Jail.

The Marin County Specialized Investigative Unit began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and determined the fentanyl responsible for the overdoses was provided by Callen Scheffler. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Specialized Investigations Unit obtained an arrest warrant for Scheffler and on February 23, 2024, arrested Scheffler at his residence in Santa Rosa. Scheffler was booked into the Marin County Jail for 192(b) PC Involuntary Manslaughter and 11352(a) H&S Transport/Sales of Narcotics. He later posted bail on the charges.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and the Novato Police Department are committed to pursuing justice relentlessly and continuing our efforts to safeguard our community from the dangers of fentanyl and other narcotics. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family.