Colorado Springs, Colo. – Two suspects have been arrested in connection to a fentanyl overdose death investigation that began in 2022. Hailee Helton and Thomas Galiano III were apprehended in Colorado Springs on Thursday, as reported by Colorado Springs police.
The investigation, which originated in August 2022, focused on multiple fentanyl overdose deaths in El Paso County. Helton and Galiano were also identified as suspects in another overdose case in Pueblo County.
Federal arrest warrants were issued for the pair in August 2023 for the unlawful distribution of fentanyl resulting in death in both El Paso and Pueblo counties due to the complexity of the case. The suspects had eluded law enforcement and were featured in Pikes Peaks Most Wanted.
On Thursday, detectives obtained information about the whereabouts of the suspects. When they approached the residence on South 18th Street that the suspects were in, the pair fled on foot. Multiple units of officers were involved in the apprehension, and the suspects were taken into custody after a brief foot chase.
As of the latest update, both Helton and Galiano were booked into the El Paso County jail. While no information for Helton was available in jail records at the time, records showed that Galiano was being held on no bond. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will await further legal proceedings.