SARASOTA, Fla. — A Sarasota man is facing charges in connection with the death of his pregnant girlfriend.

  • Casey Swart, 23, charged with 2 counts of manslaughter
  • Friends ID victim as Natalie Wright
  • Couple was from New Hampshire, had recently moved to Florida

Casey Swart, 23, is charged with two counts of manslaughter. He remains at the Sarasota County jail on $1 million bond.

Sarasota police were called to Swart's home on Osprey Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Monday. There, they located Swart's pregnant girlfriend unconscious in their shared bedroom. According to a probable cause affidavit, an officer witnessed Swart pacing in the living room while muttering, "Oh my God. I can't believe it. Oh my God. I went too far."

Friends have identified the victim as Natalie Wright, 23, who was nine months pregnant at the time of her death. The Sarasota Police Department would not confirm her identity, citing Marcy's Law.

"They were going to name him Shawn," said roommate Amanda Capen. "The baby never got a chance. It's sad that she passed away so young."

Police believe Swart bought fentanyl and shared it with his girlfriend moments before her death.  During an interview with investigators, Swart told them he gave his girlfriend half a Percocet tablet after she complained of pain due to her pregnancy. He told officials he had bought the tablet in Bradenton and took half of it on the ride home before giving the other half to his girlfriend.

An interview with the man who police believe drove Swart to get the drugs had a different story. He told officers that Swart had purchased fentanyl.

Capen said the couple was from New Hampshire and had just moved from there in August. She said the two had struggled with addiction, but Wright had been doing well in recent months.

"When they pulled her out on the stretcher, honestly the only thing I kept my eyes on was the baby in the belly, because every time they pushed down I could see the baby moving," she recalled.

Wright's room is still filled with her belongings and many items the two had collected for their baby boy.

"Her and the baby are to rest. Now she won't have to worry about kicking addiction anymore," Capen said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call detectives at 941-263-6836 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com