A man previously charged with tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice in connection with the death of a local woman has now been charged with causing that death.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Todd Phillip Hiles, 42, whose last known address is in Columbus. Hiles is charged with one count each of involuntary manslaughter, corrupting another with drugs, trafficking in heroin, trafficking in a Fentanyl-related compound and trafficking in cocaine. In October, Hiles was indicted and charged with two counts of tampering with evidence and one count of obstruction of justice.
According to court documents, on Sept. 8, 2019, officers from the Marysville Division of Police were dispatched to the Super 8 Motel on Square Drive on a report of an unresponsive female.
When officers arrived, they found Samantha Ann Evans, 26, of Marysville, dead on the bed. Investigators found a gray pen tube with a residue inside underneath her left forearm.
Additionally, investigators said there were also several prescription medications, along with loose pills on the counter in the bathroom.
Investigators seized cellphones belonging to Hiles and another woman. Through the investigation, it was learned that Hiles had texted with the other woman earlier in the day.
“Subsequently through a cellphone forensics examination, it was learned that Todd Hiles deleted the text message conversation with (the other woman) which was pertinent to the death investigation,” according to court documents.
Assistant Union County Prosecutor Rick Rodger said that since then, investigation has revealed, “Mr. Hiles allegedly provided the drugs that ultimately killed Ms. Evans.”
He said that’s why the additional charges, including involuntary manslaughter, were added.
Rodger said the prosecutor’s office has made it a policy to look for the supplier any time there is a drug overdose.
Hiles is currently being held in the Tri-County Regional Jail on $250,000 bond.
If convicted, Hiles could face as many as 21 years in prison on the new charges as well 11 on the prior charges.