By MARISSA DECHANT
Staff writer
A second person is facing charges in connection with the overdose death of a 28-year-old Callensburg woman in September.
Grace O’Day, 23, of Kennerdell, is facing misdemeanor charges for her alleged involvement in the disposal of the body of Kayla Dunlap along the side of Lake Road in Oakland Township, Butler County.
Dunlap’s body was found the morning of Sept. 17, surrounded by her purse and some other personal belongings. Based on evidence at the scene, Butler state police believed Dunlap’s body had been dumped on the side of the road.
On Sept. 18, Shaun Long, 49, of Emlenton, was interviewed as to Dunlap’s whereabouts, and he indicated he last saw her the morning of Sept. 16, when he left his residence on Eakin Road in Scrubgrass Township, the complaint said.
Further interviews corroborated the fact that Dunlap had slept at Long’s residence until the early morning hours of Sept. 16, which was her last known location, the complaint said.
Through a search warrant, police received cellphone data belonging to Long on Oct. 2, which indicated he was in close proximity to where Dunlap’s body was discovered on or about the time and date her body had been dumped on Lake Road, the complaint said.
On Oct. 3, O’Day was interviewed at the Venango County jail. She stated Long gave Dunlap five bags of fentanyl when she arrived at his home around 1 a.m. Sept. 16, the complaint said.
O’Day said she had been with Dunlap when she overdosed that day, and she administered Narcan in an attempt to save Dunlap’s life. She explained the Narcan dose had been unsuccessful, and Long had refused to call 911, the complaint said.
O’Day said once Dunlap was believed to be dead, she assisted Long with dumping Dunlap’s body.
A search warrant was then executed on Long’s vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of a suspected blood stain on the corner of the rear trunk liner.
O’Day is facing misdemeanor counts of conspiracy – abuse of corpse, conspiracy – tamper with/fabricate physical evidence and false reports to law enforcement.
Long remains in the Venango County jail. Bail was denied as he was determined to be a flight risk, according to online court documents.
He is facing felony counts of drug delivery resulting in death and two counts of hindering prosecution, in addition to misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, abuse of corpse, false reports, tamper with evidence and obstructing the administration of law.
Preliminary hearings are tentatively scheduled for April 25 in Central Court.
