BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – More details have been released about the events leading to Tuesday’s arrest of a state legislator’s daughter.
Brown County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Todd Delain says 28-year-old Cassandra Nygren, daughter of Representative John Nygren, and 33-year-old Shawn Gray provided the drugs in a June fentanyl overdose death at an Allouez home.
Delain says officers were called to the 1500 block of South Webster Avenue for a report of a ‘pulseless, non-breathing female.’
Upon arrival, Delain says responders found 31-year-old Jennifer Skeen dead. She was 30-33 weeks pregnant at the time.
According to Delain, the medical examiner ruled the death as a ‘drug overdose involving a lethal level of fentanyl.’
Over the course of the investigation, which began June 2, Delain says Nygren and Gray were identified as suspects, through a combination of evidence from the scene, witness statements, cell phone records, and surveillance footage.
Delain says investigators needed, and were able to obtain, more activity tying the dating couple to drugs.
“Even after the death, the Brown County Drug Task Force was able to conduct a controlled buy of heroin from Mr. Gray and Ms. Nygren.”
Delain notes that officers located them on the roads this past Tuesday.
“Mr. Gray was driving with Ms. Nygren and her 14-month-old child in the vehicle when he fled from officers. Due to the reckless nature of Mr. Gray’s attempt to elude officers, the pursuit was terminated.”
However, Delain says Gray and Nygren were taken into custody a short time later. They were in the Village of Bellevue, within close proximity to their vehicle.
Investigators have referred the following charges against Nygren: two counts of First Degree Reckless Homicide by Drug Delivery and one count apiece of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Neglecting a Child, Keeper of a Drug House, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The following charges have been recommended against Gray: two counts apiece of First Degree Reckless Homicide and Bail Jumping and one count apiece of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registry, Providing False Information to a Sex Offender Registry, and Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety.
Gray was also cited for Operating After Revocation, Driving without Insurance, Failure to Stop for an Officer, Hit and Run, and Reckless Driving.
Delain would not comment on how long Nygren was on their radar, but authorities note that she was involved in a ‘number of’ drug trafficking instances.
“I would describe them as ‘middlers’ who distribute to support their habit and to live off of. Certainly, they were not wealthy people making a lot of money doing it.”
Delain says the pair was harming themselves and the community as a whole.
“Mr. Gray and Ms. Nygren engaged in a pattern of extremely reckless and destructive behavior.”
Nygren’s cash bond was set at $50,000 Thursday. Formal charges in the case are not expected until next week.
