RSO: Investigation continues into fentanyl-related death of ex-Assemblymember Brian Nestande, but no new updates

In continuing coverage, the death of former local Assemblymember Brian Nestande was back in the headlines on Tuesday.

News Channel 3 is confirming with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office that all fentanyl deaths are investigated as a homicide.

As we reported back in May 2024, an autopsy report confirms the former state assembly member died of an overdose of fentanyl and cocaine.

Nestande was found dead in his home in Palm Desert back in March 2024.

Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez found Nestande’s body after not hearing from him for several days.

News Channel 3's Karen Devine reached out to Sheriff Chad Bianco and found there are no new updates to the case.

“From the very beginning, when we received toxicology results and learned this was a fentanyl death, we have considered it a homicide investigation,“ Bianco wrote. “We treat all fentanyl deaths as homicides."

It’s also of note that after questions from multiple local news outlets today, Bianco began by saying, “He doesn’t understand why everyone is reaching out.”