Published on: November 6, 2025, at 12:53 PM.
Updated on: November 6, 2025, at 12:55 PM.
- Authorities in Washington have charged a 34-year-old woman with murder
- Investigators claim the woman contaminated a man’s drink with fentanyl
Prosecutors in Clark County, WA, situated just north of Portland, assert that a 34-year-old woman tainted a man’s beverage with fentanyl, intending to rob him afterward. Tragically, the man later succumbed to fentanyl poisoning.
According to a detailed 20-page affidavit, law enforcement has presented claims against Raylin Marie Benzie. Reports indicate that she was at the ilani Casino Hotel Resort in Ridgefield on October 4, where surveillance footage shows her interacting with a 38-year-old man subsequently identified as Arslan.
Benzie and Arslan were captured on video heading to a hotel room on the 10th floor during the early hours of October 4. At that time, Benzie was dressed in leopard print attire, as noted by KATU.
Approximately one hour later, Benzie exited the hotel room alone. Just two hours later, she returned with another man and entered the room briefly before leaving again.
Following the discovery of Arslan unresponsive by hotel housekeeping on October 5, a police inquiry was initiated. Detectives quickly identified Benzie and brought her in for further questioning.
Accusation of Drugging
The police report states that Benzie initially denied any involvement in Arslan’s demise. She claimed he had agreed to remit $1,200 in winnings for sexual services. Although she agreed, Benzie alleged that he had shown her disrespect in the hotel room.
She asserted to the police that he was “snoring” when she departed the room. However, evidence from a warrant taken out on Benzie’s cell phone told a contrasting tale.
“I PANICKED AND DID SOMETHING STUPID, I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE. I COULD BE GONE FOR A LONG TIME,” authorities claim she texted a friend in uppercase letters.
The second man seen in the surveillance footage reportedly informed the police that Benzie intended to use a date rape drug to rob Arslan but discovered that she only had fentanyl available. She subsequently contaminated the man’s drink with this potent synthetic opioid, known to be up to 100 times stronger than morphine.
“She confessed that she ‘drugged this f***er and that he probably OD’d and he’s probably going to die,'” the man recounted to investigators, as stated in the probable cause affidavit.
The surveillance footage from ilani Casino allegedly shows Benzie cashing out Arslan’s gaming voucher.
Charges Laid and Bail Amount Specified
Benzie has been charged with first-degree murder, homicide via controlled substance, poisoning, first-degree robbery, and second-degree theft. She faces life imprisonment, as Washington has abolished the death penalty. Her bail is set at $10 million.
A search through the Washington Courts database revealed numerous cases involving Benzie dating back to 2011.
The ilani Casino Hotel Resort, operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, features nearly 1,000 slot machines, 75 live dealer table games, and sports betting. This luxurious resort encompasses 300 hotel rooms, a variety of dining and drinking establishments, a concert venue, and 30,000 square feet dedicated to meetings and events.