Tipton County inmate accused of drug smuggling that led to death of fellow inmate

Krystal Berry. Courtesy: Tipton County Sheriff’s Office

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – A Tipton County inmate has been charged with first-degree murder after another inmate died of a drug overdose in the jail.

The Tipton County Sheriff’s Office said 39-year-old Krystal Berry supplied the drugs that killed the woman.

On Saturday, Vicki Holifield was found unconscious in the women’s wing of the Tipton County Correctional Facility.

The sheriff’s office said other inmates told staff she had taken fentanyl. Holifield died in the hospital two days later.

Sheriff Shannon Beasley said Berry was arrested late Friday night on drug charges and taken to jail. He said Berry was strip searched but likely smuggled the fentanyl in a body cavity.

“First, I would like to express our condolences to the family of Vicki Holifield on the loss of their beloved wife,” said Sheriff Beasley. “This is a sad and tragic death that appears to have been caused by the ingestion of the powerful narcotic Fentanyl. We have charged Krystal Berry with premeditated murder and intend to ensure that she is held responsible for Ms. Holifield’s death after giving her the narcotic that caused her death. I would like to thank our correctional and nursing staff for the quick response and life-saving measures they took to save Ms. Holifield. Although Ms. Holifield unfortunately did not survive, I am proud of their efforts and how they handled this very unfortunate situation.”

He said staff gave Hollifield Narcan and performed CPR.

In the state of Tennessee, anyone who supplies narcotics that cause the death of another person can be held criminally liable for the death.