ST. ROBERTS -- A Pulaski County man is charged with second degree murder after his niece died from a heroin overdose.

On June 9, 2012 Pulaski County deputies went to a home in the 21600-block of Harlan Lane in St. Roberts at about 10:45 p.m. for an unconscious and unresponsive heroin overdose victim.

The victim, Melanie Fraley, 32, was taken to a local hospital which is where she later was pronounced dead.

During their investigation deputies determined Joseph James Fraley, 45, had purchased the heroin and had given it his niece about two hours before the overdose call.

Joseph Fraley is charged with second degree murder and distribution of a controlled substance.

He has a cash only bond of $250,000.