On Saturday February 5th, 2022, Gaston County Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Reynolds Drive Gastonia, NC, in reference to a Cardiac Arrest. The victim, Jennifer Messer, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead on the scene.
During the investigation, Gaston County Police discovered evidence Victoria Elizabeth Prince sold Heroin to Ms. Messer before her death. Autopsy and toxicology reports from the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Ms. Messer died from an overdose of illegal drugs.
Throughout the investigation, the Gaston County Police Gaston consulted with Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page. At the conclusion of the investigation, Victoria Elizabeth Prince of 1081 Parkview Drive Gastonia, NC 28054 , was charged and arrested for the Death by Distribution. She is currently in the Gaston County Jail under a $250,000 secure bond. Gaston County Police also charged and arrested Gary Louis Hampton of 5924 Crawford Road in Gastonia, NC, for his role in the death of Jennifer Messer. Mr. Hampton was charged with Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Heroin. He is currently being held in the Gaston County jail under a $10,000 secure bond.
This is an on-going investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. C. Cogdill at 704-866-3320 or Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000. There is no further information available at this time.
Victoria Elizabeth Prince
Gary Louis Hampton