Seminole County man charged with murder, accused of giving 19-year-old drugs that led to her overdose

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Seminole County man has been charged with first-degree murder after investigators said he gave fentanyl to a teenager who overdosed and died.

Officials said Jessica Ackerman died after she was taken to a hospital by 26-year-old Daniel Bachert hours after he ignored the she was overdosing. Deputies believe Ackerman ingested a lethal amount of heroin laced with fentanyl.

Detectives later found that Bachert purchased the drugs and gave them to Ackerman, leading to her overdose, according to officials. A roommate advised Bachert to call 911, but he failed to do so and instead took her to the hospital hours later, according to a release.

“He administered the drugs and then he went to bed and allowed her to die in his living room,” said Sheriff Dennis Lemma.

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Bachert faces charges of first-degree murder by distribution of a controlled substance and possession of fentanyl.

“We will hold drug dealers accountable when people overdose and die,” Lemma said. “In this case the suspect had numerous chances to do the right thing. Had he called for help earlier, Jessica may well have survived."

Bachert remains in custody at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility.

Lemma wants to remind people if you call the Sheriff’s Office for help for your own addiction or someone who is overdoesing, you will get help with no questions and no charges.

That’s a choice he said Bachert had but did not make.

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