Suspect Force-Fed Ex-Roommate 'Massive' Amounts of Fentanyl Before Stuffing Body in Freezer: Prosecutors

A Nevada resident arrested in connection with a former roommate’s killing allegedly force-fed the 68-year-old woman fentanyl and stuffed her in a freezer, prosecutors say. 

Monique Gilbertson was found dead in a freezer during a welfare check in her Las Vegas home in November, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a press release at the time. 

LVMPD declined to identify the victim to PEOPLE, but she was identified by several outlets including FOX 5, the Las Vegas Review Journal and KTNV. 

Daniel Roush, 37, was arrested in connection with the killing, LVMPD said in their statement. Roush also goes by “Jazlynn,” according to police, multiple outlets reported at the time. 

The investigation began after police received a request on Nov. 6 for a wellness check from a person who said they had not seen Gilbertson since Oct. 22, 8 News Now reported at the time. 

Officers responding to the residence encountered Roush and another person, per LVMPD’s statement, but the two were allegedly not able to speak to Gilbertson’s whereabouts. 

Police then conducted a search and found Gilbertson “folded up” inside a freezer, Clark County Deputy District Attorney James Puccinelli said on Friday, Jan. 10, according to 8 News Now.

Roush, who police say used to live with the victim, allegedly told police they found Gilbertson unconscious with drug paraphernalia around her, according to FOX 5, KTNV and 8 News Now. 

“I put her in the icebox because I didn’t know what to do,” Roush told police, per FOX 5. 

Now Puccinelli alleges Roush actually administered “massive amounts of fentanyl” to Gilbertson in a bid to “go into her house and take over her life,” 8 News Now reported. 

At the time of her death, Gilbertson reportedly had about 200 times the lethal dose of fentanyl for a human in her system, Puccinelli said.

An arrest report previously cited by FOX 5, the Las Vegas Review Journal and KTNV claimed Roush and Gilbertson met at a Home Depot, where Gilbertson offered the suspect a place to stay in exchange for Roush’s help around the house. 

However, Gilbertson soon became disappointed with her new roommate because of Roush’s cleanliness issues and suspected they were stealing from her, per police. Gilbertson kicked Roush out, 8 News Now and the Las Vegas Review Journal reported, citing authorities.

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Roush has been charged with murder, abuse of an elderly and several-drug related offenses, including administering drugs in the commission of a felony, according to court records.

PEOPLE was not able to immediately reach an attorney listed for Roush for comments. Online court records did not indicate if Roush has entered pleas against the charges.