INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD arrested a man who allegedly sold drugs that killed a woman last year.
On Sept. 20, 2023, Candace Solano was found dead in the 5900 block of Spring Mill Road on the north side of Indianapolis after IMPD was called to investigate a report of a "person down." This was two days after she had initially been reported missing to the Franklin Police Department.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office confirmed Solano’s cause of death was an overdose, and the case was then transferred to IMPD's Overdose Death Task Force (ODTF).
IMPD said a detective with the Franklin Police Department later reached out to ODTF and provided "critical information" about the investigation. After working the case for a year, ODTF detectives submitted a narcotics search warrant for the home of the alleged suspect, Henry Simmons.
On Sept. 27, 2024, authorities said they conducted surveillance on Simmons' home and stopped him as he was leaving his apartment. Police searched Simmons' vehicle and found fentanyl powder and $1,600 in cash. Officers also searched his home and seized drugs, including fentanyl, a 9mm gun and over $5,000 in cash.
Simmons was charged with dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death and dealing in a narcotic drug.
“Every overdose death is a tragedy, and our thoughts remain with Ms. Solano’s family and loved ones,” IMPD Deputy Chief of Investigations Kendale Adams said.
“I want to commend the tireless efforts of the Overdose Death Task Force, the Criminal Interdiction Unit, Marion County Prosecutor’s Officer, the Marion County Coroner’s Office, the Franklin Police Department, and the DEA, who worked alongside IMPD for 12 months with the goal of removing these deadly drugs from our streets," Adams added. "I hope this arrest sends a strong message that our community will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. We owe it to the victims and their families to seek justice and fight against drug-related deaths."
