Roeland Park woman charged in death of pregnant woman

JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. (KCTV) - A Roeland Park woman has been arrested on first-degree murder charges in the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

According to court documents in Johnson County, Izabel Reed of Roeland Park, Kansas, has been arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of distribution causing death.

The charges come more than a year and a half after the deaths of Alexandrea Hunter and her unborn child on Christmas Eve in 2023.

Court records also said Reed has been charged with two counts of distribution of fentanyl and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine for incidents in February 2024.

Reed was arrested by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. She is being held in the Johnson County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.

Steve Howe, the Johnson County District Attorney, told KCTV5 that this was allegedly a drug deal that turned deadly.

“In this case, we’re alleging that the mother voluntarily ingested the fentanyl, causing her death as well as the unborn child,” Howe said. “It just highlights the degree of abuse and the deadly nature of this drug that somebody who is pregnant has such a desire for that drug that it overcomes their maternal instincts of protecting their child.”

Howe said their relationship was transactional but couldn’t provide specifics as to what exactly happened. Reed’s bond is set at $1 million.

“Too many times we see these dealers, despite the fact that people are dying, continuing to sell these drugs, which is why we are taking such an aggressive approach on prosecuting those individuals,” Howe said. 

KCTV5 spoke to a woman who knew Reed and her circle of influence. She didn’t want to be named but said she’s been waiting for her arrest for months.

“When I saw her mugshot, I honestly thought it was time,” she explained. “I believe she should be charged with what she did, but she isn’t the only one.”

She said she wanted this to serve as an important warning for the community.

“You really have to tell your kids and teach them to say no,” she said. “I mean it’s just happening all the time. It’s not cool; drugs will lead you down a downhill spiral.”

Reed is expected to be back in court on June 12.

This is a developing story. KCTV will update it when more information becomes available.

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