Four charged with 3rd degree murder for St. Peter overdose death

ST. PETER, Minn. (KEYC) - Four people have been charged in Nicollet County Court with 3rd degree murder for their involvement in an overdose death in St. Peter in November 2024.

Robert Tauqueer Johnson, Matthew John Brandt, Wendy Ellen Fischer, and Heather Jean Boone are charged with 3rd degree murder as well as other drug charges.

Court documents show the investigation into a fentanyl trafficking operation in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties began last August by the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force.

Court documents show that Johnson was believed to be the main source, supplying Fischer, who sold allegedly sold drugs out of a hotel in St. Peter, including to Brandt and Boone.

Court documents go on to say the victim was found deceased in the drivers seat of a vehicle near the hotel on November 7, 2024. His vehicle had previously been spotted at Fischer’s hotel along with Boone. Documents say police discovered drug paraphernalia in the car. Autopsy results show the cause of death as fentanyl, methamphetamine and diazepam toxicity.

The maximum sentence for 3rd degree murder in Minnesota is 25 years or $40,000 fine or both.

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