Man charged with drug supply may be linked to Alex Ross-King’s death

The family of Alex Ross-King has welcomed the arrest of a man accused of supplying the drugs police believe could be linked to the teenager’s suspected overdose. He could be the first person to be dealt with under the government’s tough new legislation where dealers can receive a 20-year prison term.

• Family of festival death victim’s urgent plea
• ‘Alex was not a drug taker’

The family of Alex Ross-King has welcomed the arrest of a man accused of supplying the drugs police believe could be linked to the teenager’s suspected overdose.

Mark Haywood was charged on Wednesday afternoon after police raided his Central Coast granny flat.

Officers seized 26 capsules, 14g of methamphetamine, $1275 in cash and mobile phones.

Festival goers at the FOMO Music Festival at Parramatta. Picture: David Swift

19-year-old Alex Ross-King, who died of a suspected drug overdose at the FOMO music festival. Picture: Facebook

MORE NEWS:

FOMO festival goes on despite teen’s death

‘Beautiful soul’: Popular teen dies at FOMO festival

Haywood could be the first person to be dealt with under the government’s tough new legislation where dealers caught selling products that subsequently lead to death can receive a 20-year prison term.

Central Coast teenager Ms Ross-King was the latest music event drug death victim after it is believed she took at least two MDMA capsules or pills before entering the FOMO festival in Parramatta on Saturday.

They charged men were both granted conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court next month.

Police also arrested 23-year-old Luke William Xerri at the same Toomeys Rd address and charged him with possessing a prohibited drug and two counts of supplying a prohibited drug.

The Daily Telegraph understands that police believe that Haywood had supplied the drugs that eventually were given to Alex who died at the FOMO festival on the weekend.

The man did not directly supply drugs to Ms Ross-King.

Two men have been charged on the Central Coast as part of an ongoing drug supply investigation.

Police executed a search warrant at a home and granny flat at Mount Elliot.

A female relative of the Haywood was also charged with drug possession at another music festival recently.

Investigations are continuing.

They have both been granted conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court next month.

Denise Doig, Ms Ross-King’s heartbroken grandmother, said: “I think the drugs should be off the street, that’s all I have to say.”

The teenager’s family issued a statement thanking NSW Police for “keeping our community safe”.

During the search, the officers allegedly found and seized 26 capsules believed to be MDMA.

Ms Ross-King’s family had previously called for urgent action to stop the crisis that is killing revellers — declaring there is no safe level of drug consumption.

They said they wanted to meet with the Premier about the issue after their “beautiful girl” who was lost at the weekend.

“We encourage government to courageously take all the active measures possible to reduce the risk,” her family said in a statement on Tuesday night.

“Pill testing is only one measure. There is no safe level of drug consumption but, it is an opportunity for intervention. We will in due course request an audience with Premier Berejiklian to confer and exchange views.”

One of Alex’s closest friends had told The Telegraph that the young teenager was not a drug taker and was an “alcohol girl” before her sudden death after a dance rave.

Two men — aged 20 and 23 — were arrested at the home.

“I was really close with her and she never took drugs,” the friend said.

“I just knew she never took drugs, she was always an alcohol girl, she’d have it all under control and was happy to just drink.”

The friend said it could have been the nature of the FOMO festival that caused her to change her normal practice. “I think maybe the festival, maybe she just wanted to try it,” she said.

The friend said the fact Ms Ross-King was not a big drug user only made the situation sadder.

“She’s gone off and done something so small and it’s taken her life,” she said.

It is understood Ms Ross-King purchased drugs in Terrigal before going to the FOMO festival in Parramatta on a “party bus” she and her friends had hired.

It is believed the 19-year-old took at least two MDMA capsules or pills before entering the festival where she died on Saturday night.

Alex had recently finished high school and was planning to travel after she had saved money.

The friend, who went to school with Ms Ross-King, said drug use was common with those aged in their late teens to early 20s on the Central Coast.

“MDMA — a lot of caps and pills,” she said. “A bit of cocaine.”

Tributes flowed on social media for Alex, including from her friends and co-workers with many still shocked at the young woman’s death.

19-year-old Alex Ross-King. Picture: Facebook

“I watched you grow into a beautiful young lady and now you will be forever young,” Michael Cauchi said on Facebook.

“Heaven truly received an angel but how you will be missed here on earth … I want to remember you. Fun, caring, smiling and loving.”

Another friend said he was still coming terms with the unexpected death.

“Alex to me was the definition of a kindred spirit, she had a deeper understanding of this earth and sadly this world didn’t deserve her,” Evan James posted.

“My heart is in so much pain and it’s a difficult feeling that I can never have a conversation with you again, you taught me a lot about myself and made me a stronger person and I thank you for being such an influential part of my life.”

A former schoolmate described her shock and sadness after hearing about Alex’s death.

“She was definitely the last person to deserve anything like this. I only knew her through class and school but she was such a bright, genuine and all around wonderful person,” Ebonie May said on Facebook.

“My heart goes out for her friends and family, I hope you all are okay.”

19-year-old Alex Ross-King’s friend said he was still coming terms with the unexpected death. Picture: Facebook