Fairbanks Grand Jury indicts Samantha Pearson for manslaughter in the death of Adam Sakkinen

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - UPDATE September 2, 2022. A Fairbanks Grand Jury indicted Samantha Pearson on one count of manslaughter and one count of misconduct involving a controlled substance on September 1, 2022. Pearson is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which time the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

35-year-old Samantha L. Pearson, from North Pole, was arrested by the Alaska State Troopers and the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit after investigation revealed that Pearson sold fentanyl to a 32-year-old male, which resulted in the man’s death.

Pearson was remanded to the Fairbanks Correctional Center and charged with Manslaughter and Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree. Her bail is set at $205,000.

Pearson’s arrest came after first responders found 32-year-old Adam Sakkinen unconscious at a single-vehicle car accident in late June, according to charging documents.

On June 26, 2022, Alaska State Troopers received report of a single vehicle accident with injury near Haydon Court in North Pole. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the accident and began CPR on an unconscious male.

When the troopers arrived, they found a white Nissan Altima in the ditch.

According to court records, medics stated, “The male was found in the car with a lighter in one hand and a tube in the other.” Investigators also found tin foil with a burnt substance on it inside the vehicle.

Medics used Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug, to revive Adam and he was transported to the hospital where he was put on life support. A lab report confirmed high levels of fentanyl were found in Adam’s blood, according to court records.

Adam Sakkinen died on July 7 after being removed from life support. Adam’s death certificate shows his death was from complications of fentanyl intoxication.

On August 16, Samantha Pearson was contacted by the Alaska State Troopers. According to court documents, Pearson admitted to “selling the drugs to Adam that killed him.” She sold .25 grams of what she thought was heroin to Adam. Pearson said she was fronted an ounce of the drug from a drug dealer who told her it was heroin.

If convicted, Pearson could face up to 20 years for the Manslaughter charge and up to 20 years for the Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree charge, which is also a class A Felony.

A Preliminary Hearing for Pearson has been scheduled for Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 3:15 p.m.

This story has been updated with new information. September 2, 2022.

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