William Nathan Hale, DOB: 7-17-81, was sentenced to four years in prison for leaving his friend, 25-year-old Natasha Rowley, as she died of a methamphetamine overdose on drugs which he brought with him to her house.
On June 2, 2017. Hale had driven five hours from his home in Nebraska, to his friend’s home in Arvada, to help her move. He brought 14 grams of methamphetamine with him. Hale and Natasha used methamphetamine together for several hours that night.
Evidence showed that in the early morning hours Natasha began to exhibit dangerous symptoms as a result of her methamphetamine consumption. There is a three-hour time lapse during which she is clearly in medical distress and Hale does nothing. At 7:30 a.m. she is in the throes of a fatal overdose, moaning and gasping for air when Hale gathers his things and leave the house. He makes no attempt to render aid or call for assistance.
Hale told police that “he panicked and left.” He admitted to police that she was “in bad shape” and said that was why he left. Hale was arrested in Nebraska in December, 2017.
“This was a heartless act. It is not as if Mr. Hale wasn’t aware of what was happening. She was clearly dying of a drug overdose,” said DA Pete Weir. “If he had contacted emergency responders, Natasha might be alive today.”
Hale pled guilty to Reckless Manslaughter (F4) and Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (DF2) on May 14.
