Special to the Item

Law enforcement officers called in to investigate the suspicious death of 21-year-old Devan Bailey Spiers at his Picayune residence early January 28 discovered a small quantity of heroin at the scene, according to officials with the investigating agencies.
For two months, investigators with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Pearl River County Sheriff Department’s Narcotics Unit worked closely with the Pearl River County District Attorney’s office on this case, according to a press release from MBN.
And, as investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding Spiers’ death, Chance L. Kellar arose as a person of interest, the officials said.
Kellar, 20, of 42 Sam Mitchell Road, was arrested late-afternoon March 17 at his residence on a warrant charging him with conspiracy to transfer heroin.
He was subsequently transported to the Pearl River County Jail and held under a $20,000 bond.
“Our condolences go out to the Spiers family for the senseless death of their loved one,” said MBN Director John Dowdy.
“This suspect’s arrest should send a clear message that MBN, along with its federal, state and local partners, will thoroughly investigate drug overdose deaths and bring those responsible to face justice,” he added.
Sheriff David Allison said: “I would like to thank the MBN for responding to our call for assistance so quickly and also thank all of my staff for their hard work on this investigation, as well as the Spiers family for their cooperation. I would also like to thank the community for not only the outpouring of support for the Spiers family, but also for all of the information they provided us in the weeks following Devan’s death. I feel for the Spiers family on the tragic loss of their son Devan, and hope the results of this investigation will provide them with some amount of comfort.”