Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) have charged a Riverview man with murder following two deaths as a result of suspected overdose.
On July 6, 2024, deputies found a couple dead inside their residence near the 800 block of Richmond Street in Gibonston. HCSO deputies were able to identify the deceased as 41-year-old William Jackson and 36-year-old Amanda Stephens.
Through details obtained during a 6-month long investigation, detectives were able to determine that Ramero Randolph, 36, of Riverview, was the source of drugs that ended the young couple’s lives. Detectives arrested Randolph for the suspected overdose deaths on January 9, 2025, but have not released details as to which drugs he may have distributed in connection with the crime.
The 36-year-old now faces two counts of Murder in the First Degree Which Resulted From the Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, a capital felony charge. According to Florida Law, if convicted, Randolph could potentially be given the death penalty as his punishment for first degree murder; however, if the court determines the drug-related-death to have been unintentional, he is more likely to be sentenced to life behind bars.
“Drug dealers profiting from addiction that leads to death in our community will face the full consequences of the law,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Thanks to the hard work of our detectives, another drug dealer is off the streets after causing tragic and preventable deaths.”
HCSO say any additional information regarding the case that becomes available will be released from their Public Affairs Office.
