5 key details about Sarah Harris's murder 

Sarah Harris was found unconscious and later declared dead on January 26, 2022. Sarah was battling mental problems and issues related to her addiction, and her death was ruled out to be a drug overdose.

However, with more developments in the case and new evidence, testimonies, and pictures surfacing, it was found that Sarah Harris's boyfriend James Ryan was the reason for Sarah’s death as he gave her those drugs.

2 years after Sarah’s death, on January 3, 2024, James was sentenced to 45 years in prison after he was found guilty of Sarah’s death because of his negligence and hence charged with depraved heart murder.

The upcoming episode of 48 Hours on CBS, titled, Depraved Heart Murder, will replay this case. The episode will air on CBS on October 5, 2024, at 9 pm EST, and the synopsis for the same as per 48 Hours reads:

"Sarah Harris, 25, was found unresponsive on the floor in the Maryland home she shared with her boyfriend, Dr. James Ryan. Authorities concluded that she died of an overdose from powerful drugs in her system. Ryan was later charged with second-degree depraved heart murder for her death. Here's what that means."

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Five important details about Sarah Harris's death to know ahead of 48 Hours on CBS

1) James Ryan did not reveal his involvement in Sarah's death because of her OD

Reportedly, James Ryan, Sarah’s boyfriend, who used to live in the same house as her, found her unresponsive on January 26, 2022. When he was questioned by the authorities about Sarah’s death, he revealed to them that she died because of a drug overdose. He also claimed that Sarah Harris was struggling with her mental health and addiction.

However, James did not reveal his involvement in her death nor the fact that he was the one who got the drugs for Sarah.

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2) Drug vials and medical paraphernalia were found in Sarah Harris's room

Drug vials and other suspicious medical instruments were found in Sarah's room (Image by NCI/Unsplash)

Sarah’s mother Tina Harris, claimed that James Ryan got Sarah addicted to these drugs in order to groom and control her. She also revealed that she found her daughter slurring a few months before her death, as reported by CBS.

Tina had also found drug vials and other suspicious medical equipment in her room two times before her death. All of the above equipment and vials found were photographed by Sarah’s sister Rachel. This evidence later helped to charge the accused in the case.

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3) Ryan stalked Sarah Harris when she was a mere 14 years of age

As reported by CBS, Dr Ryan told Sarah’s mother in 2021 that he always had a liking for her daughter. When she was just 14, he would watch her play in the park. As Sarah grew up, Ryan’s stalking habits became more obsessive.

Even though Ryan was twice Sarah’s age and divorced with kids, his obsession for Sarah Harris kept growing. He also offered Sarah a job as his assistant and gave expensive gifts to her. As reported by CBS, Sarah’s mother revealed that Ryan told her:

'I used to see Sarah walking the neighborhood and playing at the park with her friends.....I found out she worked in the toy store across the street at this little shopping area....So I would take my kids there so I could see her and I remember when she dressed up as Elsa from 'Frozen' and she looked just like Elsa."

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4) Ryan once injected Sarah Harris with ketamine while she was asleep

James Ryan had once injected Sarah with ketamine while she was sleeping (Image by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography/Unsplash)

During James Ryan's trial, one of the chats that surfaced between the victim and the accused read:

"I can give you an injection … the anxiety will be completely gone in 6 second s (sic) … it will work. Let's try it….."

In another instance, Ryan had texted Sarah that:

"If you wake up … I just went to change, after I gave you Ketamine just now …"

These conversations demonstrated that Ryan was providing Sarah with the drugs she was abusing, which ultimately led to her tragic death.

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5) James Ryan was not charged with first-degree murder

Although the chats, photos, and testimonies from the victim's family pointed at Ryan being the only person responsible for Sarah’s death, he was still not charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to life. The jury instead charged him with depraved heart murder, as his actions resulted in her death, but his intent to murder her could not be proven. On January 3, 2024, Ryan was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

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To know more about this case, watch the upcoming 48 Hours episode on CBS.