Caldwell County, NC – July 9, 2025 — Caldwell County Sheriff Kevin H. Bean announced this week the conviction of Jessica Marie McMahon, 39, of Granite Falls, in connection with the 2024 fentanyl overdose death of Hayli Surayah White, a 22-year-old woman from Valdese. McMahon was found guilty in Caldwell County Superior Court on two serious charges: Death by Distribution and Trafficking Heroin/Opium.
The charges stem from a February 8, 2024 incident in Concord, NC, where White tragically died of acute fentanyl toxicity. A joint investigation conducted by the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office revealed that White had obtained the lethal dose of fentanyl from McMahon in Granite Falls earlier that same month.
Investigators worked tirelessly to trace the source of the drugs that caused Hayli’s death. Through interviews, digital evidence, and toxicology reports, authorities confirmed that Jessica McMahon was the individual who supplied the fatal dose. The Death by Distribution statute, implemented in North Carolina in recent years, enables prosecutors to charge drug dealers directly in overdose fatalities when their product can be linked to a victim’s death.
McMahon, who has a long history of drug-related arrests and convictions across North Carolina, was sentenced to 90 to 120 months (7.5 to 10 years) in state prison. Her sentencing reflects both the gravity of the crime and her repeat offenses. Prosecutors emphasized that McMahon had numerous opportunities to change course but continued to engage in dangerous and illegal drug distribution, ultimately contributing to the loss of a young life.
In a public statement, Sheriff Kevin H. Bean underscored the importance of the conviction:
“This conviction is the result of determined investigative work and a firm commitment to holding drug dealers accountable for the deadly consequences of their actions. We hope this brings some measure of justice to Hayli’s family and serves as a warning to others who profit from addiction and death.”
Hayli Surayah White was just 22 years old at the time of her passing. Described by friends and loved ones as a creative and bright young woman with a compassionate heart, her life was cut tragically short by a crisis that continues to impact families across North Carolina and the country. Her death is another sobering reminder of the dangers of fentanyl—a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and increasingly found laced in other street drugs.
The Death by Distribution law, passed in North Carolina in 2019, was designed to curb the opioid crisis by directly addressing those who provide lethal narcotics. Law enforcement officials say the law is an important tool in their fight against the ongoing epidemic.
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the District Attorney’s Office for their collaborative efforts in pursuing justice in this case.
As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities, law enforcement and public health officials alike continue to urge citizens to be aware of the dangers posed by illicit drugs—especially fentanyl. Community resources and addiction support services are also available for those struggling with substance use or who know someone at risk.
For Hayli’s family, the conviction offers a sense of closure, though it cannot bring her back. Her name now becomes part of the broader call to action: a plea for awareness, accountability, and change.
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