Grand Jury Indicted Man for Fentanyl Murder
A Randall County grand jury charged Garrett Daniel Keltner following a fatal fentanyl overdose in Amarillo.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Drug Crime
Garrett Daniel Keltner has been indicted on murder charges after an investigation into the death of Mathes Tillinghast. Investigators allege Keltner sold the powdered fentanyl that caused Tillinghast to die of acute toxicity.
Why it matters
The indictment underscores the legal consequences for individuals accused of knowingly distributing lethal synthetic opioids. Authorities utilized digital payment records and mobile communications to trace the alleged transaction that preceded the fatal event.
A Randall County grand jury officially indicted Garrett Daniel Keltner on murder charges. The case remains active as authorities review the electronic evidence linking the suspect to the fatal dose.
The players
Garrett Daniel Keltner
He is the suspect indicted on murder charges for the alleged sale of lethal fentanyl.
Mathes Tillinghast
He was the victim who died from acute fentanyl toxicity in Amarillo.
Randall County
This local jurisdiction is responsible for the grand jury proceedings and the current legal prosecution.
The details
Investigators discovered Mathes Tillinghast deceased at his Amarillo home with a bag of powdered fentanyl nearby in November 2025. Digital analysis of the victim's phone and Venmo transactions revealed an arrangement to purchase the substance near Garland, leading police to identify Keltner as the alleged supplier.
Timeline
Mathes Tillinghast died from acute fentanyl toxicity in November 2025.
A Randall County grand jury indicted Garrett Daniel Keltner on September 23, 2026.
Legal Context
This indictment follows the legal precedent set by Texas Senate Bill 768, which reclassified fentanyl-related deaths as murder. This shift reflects a broader trend of local jurisdictions using state-level mandates to pursue homicide charges against drug distributors.
Residents in the area should remain aware of the ongoing investigation as it moves through the Randall County court system. There are no additional security advisories or immediate threats to the local neighborhood resulting from this indictment.
The takeaway
The use of digital forensic evidence like transaction logs is increasingly central to building murder cases in narcotics investigations. Residents should be aware that law enforcement continues to prioritize tracking the supply chain of illicit substances to secure criminal charges.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings regarding synthetic narcotics, visit the Drug Crime section.
