North Fond du Lac Man Sentenced 12 Years for Sister's 2020 Fentanyl Death

Christopher J. Hoerth, a North Fond du Lac man, was sentenced to six years in prison followed by six years of extended supervision for supplying fentanyl that led to his sister's overdose death in 2020. After a five-day jury trial in April, Hoerth was convicted of first-degree reckless homicide and felony bail jumping and later pleaded no contest to possession of narcotic drugs and paraphernalia in a separate case. Prosecutors stated Hoerth traveled to Milwaukee to buy what he believed was heroin, which was actually fentanyl, and gave it to his sister, who had relapsed after completing methadone treatment in 2018. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as fentanyl toxicity, with 30 ng/mL of fentanyl found in her blood. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney emphasized the devastating impact of fentanyl on families and communities and expressed commitment to seeking justice to deter similar tragedies. The case was investigated by multiple local police departments and highlights ongoing efforts to combat fentanyl-related deaths.