ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage nurse practitioner, Kris Kile (52), who was initially charged with manslaughter in connection to a patient’s 2015 death, now finds herself solely facing charges related to controlled substances—specifically misconduct involving oxycodone, fentanyl, and meperidine in the second and third degree .

🚫 Manslaughter Charge Dropped

A judge dismissed the manslaughter count after a suppression hearing concluded critical evidence had been destroyed by local police and state labs alaskasnewssource.com+1fox10tv.com+1. Former prosecutor James Fayette noted:

“The police department and the medical examiner’s office had destroyed evidence … because the case wasn’t charged right away.” reddit.com+3alaskasnewssource.com+3fox10tv.com+3

⚖️ Drug Charges Remain

Kile is now limited to charges for inappropriate handling of controlled substances. During a recent hearing, the court set a jury selection date and potential opening statements for the following Mondayalaskasnewssource.com+3alaskasnewssource.com+3fox10tv.com+3.

🧑‍⚖️ Background of the Case

• Victim: 22‑year‑old Courtney Jones died in March 2015 from a multi-drug overdose, including oxycodone, diazepam, and alcohol fox10tv.com+4alaskasnewssource.com+4alaskasnewssource.com+4.
• Accusations: Investigators allege Kile prescribed Jones a mix of opioids—without office visits or proper medical exams—sometimes taking refill requests via Facebookalaskasnewssource.com+3alaskasnewssource.com+3adn.com+3.
• License Status: Kile’s nursing license was suspended in November 2020 over concerns of drug violations and threats to public safety reddit.com+15alaskasnewssource.com+15alaskasnewssource.com+15.

🏛️ Legal Implications

Under Alaska’s “failure to preserve” rules, the judge ruled the evidence destruction violated Kile’s due‑process rights. As a result, prosecutors must drop the manslaughter charge and cannot reinstate it alaskasnewssource.com+1fox10tv.com+1.

🔍 Ongoing Proceedings

Kile’s trial on remaining drug charges is now moving forward without the manslaughter allegation. The proceedings are drawing attention as part of broader scrutiny over prescriber accountability in opioid-related overdose deaths .

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In summary, Kile is no longer facing manslaughter charges due to the court dismissing them on the grounds of suppressed evidence. However, she remains accused of improperly prescribing controlled substances—a case that now proceeds to jury selection and trial.

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