Washington prosecutors said on Monday that a woman charged with killing a man last month did so by lacing his drink with fentanyl.
On October 5, Cowlitz Tribe police were called to the Ilani Casino Hotel concerning a deceased individual. An investigation determined Raylin Benzie, 34, gave the victim, Arslan, 38, a fatal dose of fentanyl to steal his property, according to KPTV. (The victim’s state driver’s license indicated he had one legal name.)
Benzie, who was arrested on October 31, reportedly told police that she decided to give Arslan fentanyl because she forgot to bring a date rape drug that would put him to sleep while she robbed him. Surveillance footage indicated she was in Arslan’s hotel room for an hour before exiting alone. She and another man were later filmed entering Arslan’s room and leaving seven minutes later, according to The Chronicle.
Arslan was found deceased in the room a day later.
“No, no, no, he was f**king snoring,” Benzie allegedly told detectives who informed her of Arslan’s death.
Benzie reportedly claimed that in September, Arslan said he would give her his $1,200 casino winnings in exchange for sex. On October 4, Arslan allegedly gave her a casino voucher for $1,280.
According to KATU, Benzie and Arslan did not have sex. Benzie reportedly told investigators that she did not feel bad about taking his money because he had disrespected her.
A search of Benzie’s phone uncovered alleged text messages suggesting she knew she killed Arslan.
“I PANICKED AND DID SOMETHING DUMB I NEED OUT OF HERE PLEASE…I COULD GO AWAY FOR A VERY LONG TIME,” one text reads, according to KATU.
Other messages indicated that Benzie needed money because she totaled her car and was about to be evicted.
“I’m bored and I’ve been putting in work on this dude that I’m gonna bet he’s got 100k in his bank account right now,” she wrote, according to The Chronicle.
When asked why someone would just give her that much money, Benzie allegedly responded, “Lol no I’m gunna get to know him then drug him to sleep n take it.”
The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the only drug present in Arslan’s system was fentanyl.
Benzie was charged with first-degree murder, controlled substances homicide, placing poison in a drink, first-degree robbery, and second-degree theft.
She remains jailed on $10 million bail.
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