Local murder suspect held without bond

Kimberly Mercer

WINCHESTER — A city woman indicted for distributing a lethal dose of a heroin to a local man turned herself in Wednesday afternoon.

Kimberly Mercer, 49, of Winchester, appeared Friday in Winchester Circuit Court with attorney David Hensley — who continued her case until 9 a.m. Dec. 14.

Mercer, who is being held without bond at the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center, is charged with second degree murder in the July 22 overdose death of 50-year-old Richard Kuit. She also is charged with distribution of heroin.

Kuit was found dead in Mercer’s bed at America’s Best Value Inn at 1347 Berryville Ave. in Winchester.

Mercer woke up and found Kuit, who had a room next to hers, deceased in her bed and called 911, according to a search warrant filed in Winchester Circuit Court.

She told a Winchester Police Department detective that Kuit passed out drunk the night before his death in her room.

Police say that through the ensuing investigation, it was determined that Kuit died from a heroin overdose and that Mercer supplied him with the drug that led to his death.

Police spokesperson Lauren Cummings said in a Friday media release that the Winchester Police Department has a no-tolerance policy on drugs and is committed to pursuing sellers and users of drugs in the city, and will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

“We are also committed to seeking help for individuals who suffer from drug addiction,” she states in the release.

— Contact Melissa Boughton at mboughton@winchesterstar.com