Odessa Teen Charged With Murder After Fatal Fentanyl Overdose

Odessa Police have arrested 17-year-old Kaden Welch in connection to the fentanyl-related death of a 19-year-old man in May. Welch has been formally charged with Murder, a first-degree felony.

On May 2, 2025, officers responded to a medical call in the 1300 block of Sunset, where they found the 19-year-old male unresponsive. He was transported to a local hospital but was later pronounced deceased on May 13.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the victim’s social media accounts and identified Welch as a suspect in a possible drug transaction. Investigators determined Welch had sold the victim an M30 pill in exchange for an undisclosed amount of money.

On July 28, the autopsy report confirmed the cause of death as toxic effects of fentanyl. Based on the findings, a murder warrant was issued for Welch, who was already in custody on unrelated charges.