Two from Hanover Park held on $2 million bail in heroin death

Two Hanover Park residents have been charged with drug-induced homicide in the heroin overdose death of a 32-year-old Bartlett man on March 9, authorities announced Saturday morning.

DuPage County Judge Terence Sheen Saturday set bail at $2 million each for Anthony Brown and Hallie Manning, both 44 and both of the same address on the 5700 block of Dutch Mill Court.

In the early morning hours of March 9, John Smrz, 32, was found dead outside their home. An autopsy revealed that he died from a heroin overdose.

Authorities said they believe that Manning gave Smrz heroin, and that after Smrz died, Brown took his body out of the home and left it in the snow in a common area.

In addition to drug-induced homicide, both Brown and Manning have been charged with delivery of a controlled substance. Brown also was charged with concealment of a homicide and possession of a controlled substance.

"The successful outcome of the investigation into this case is an excellent example of coordination and cooperation between agencies," Hanover Park Police Chief Dave Webb said in a news release Saturday, thanking the North Central Narcotics Task Force for assistance in the investigation. "Our investigators worked tirelessly to bring these individuals to justice. Confronting the scourge that is the heroin epidemic in our community through education, prevention, and enforcement will remain a top priority going forward."

"Despite law enforcement's efforts, heroin continues to be a very serious, deadly problem," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert B. Berlin said. "While we have made significant progress in educating the public about the dangers and possibly fatal consequences of heroin use, the death of John Smrz serves as a reminder that we still have work to do to get the number of heroin deaths down to the only acceptable number, which is zero."

Brown and Manning must post 10 percent of their bail to be released from DuPage County Jail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for May 18 in front of Judge George Bakalis.