Man Pleads Guilty In Overdose Death Of Tulsa Teen

A man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of a 19-year-old woman in 2018. Tulsa County prosecutors said Taylor Rogers sold Jillian Searle drugs that resulted in her death.

Thursday, October 31st 2019, 12:15 pm

By: News On 6


 
 

A Tulsa man is sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder after his drug dealing led a teenager to overdose and die.

Taylor Rogers was charged with second degree murder in April 2018 following the death of 19-year-old Jillian Searle in March. Those who loved Searle remember has as a beautiful and shining personality.

"She was such a blessing to all of us," her sister, Paige, said. "She was so funny. So vibrant."

"Her smile made you smile," said friend Cera Way. "It was just contagious."

They also remember the darker moments; the moments when Jill was gripped by her addiction.

"We saw her struggle for a while and it broke her, and it broke us," Paige said. "And nobody wants to go through that."

Jill overdosed on heroin last year; the drugs were provided to her by 29-year-old Taylor Rogers.

"They're vultures," Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said. "They're picking over people who are addicts."

Kunzweiler worked closely with Tulsa Police to charge Rogers with second degree murder and bring him to justice. Although Jill took the drugs, Kunzweiler said her blood is on Rogers' hands.

Related Story: First-Degree Murder Charge Brought Against Alleged Tulsa Drug Dealer 

"What does a drug dealer do?" he asked. "He is delivering drugs to an addicted population that is vulnerable."

"They don't care about what happens to the person they provided the drugs to," Kunzweiler continued.

Rogers pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, plus 10 years suspended.

Kunzweiler said he hopes this case serves as a warning to other drug dealers. He said if you deal drugs to someone who overdoses and dies, they're coming for you, too                

Jill's loved ones say the outcome brings them some sense of justice, but unfortunately, not the ending they'd ever hoped for.

"There's no winning, really," Way said. "Just consequences for actions."

"Nothing's going to fix what's happened, you know?" Paige added. "Nothing's going to bring her back."

Kunzweiler said if you find yourself living a life of crime you don't want to be a part of, there are resources for you to get help and get out at the Tulsa Police Department.

 
 

 

","published":"2019-10-31T17:15:43.000Z","updated":"2019-11-01T00:08:15.000Z","summary":"A man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of a 19-year-old woman in 2018. Tulsa County prosecutors said Taylor Rogers sold Jillian Searle drugs that resulted in her death.","affiliate":{"_id":"5c784a0c4961cb23ad330098","callSign":"kotv","origin":"https://www.newson6.com"},"contentClass":"news","createdAt":"2020-02-01T17:46:08.436Z","updatedAt":"2022-03-31T19:11:24.925Z","__v":4,"show":true,"link":"/story/5e35b960fcd8ef694720c0d8/man-pleads-guilty-in-overdose-death-of-tulsa-teen","hasSchedule":false,"id":"5e35b960fcd8ef694720c0d8"};
logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

October 31st, 2019

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024