24-year-old found dead after birthday; Man charged with murder is out on bail

HOUSTON – Eric Sembera is charged with fentanyl murder in connection with the poisoning of 24-year-old Erica Russell.

On August 4, Erica was found dead in her Tomball apartment. Records show Sembera offered her fentanyl as they celebrated her birthday.

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According to the documents, Sembera admitted to police that he had a fentanyl addiction and told Erica what drug it was, but her family did not buy it.

“I believe to this day if she had known it was fentanyl, she never would have done it,” said her stepmother, Cassandra Russell.

Erica’s mother, Denise Russel, says Erica recently moved to Texas and was looking forward to starting her new job and life.

“She beamed everywhere she went. She had a magnetic personality and people were just drawn to her,” she said.

She says she worked hard, got her own apartment and was sober for three months in solidarity with her father.

“This person once somehow convinced her to take this drug,” Cassandra said.

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Court records show that Sembera told investigators that Erica had not drunk anything the night of her death.

“My daughter was amazing and that one night she spent with that person ended everything,” Denise said.

They received the call that Erica didn’t show up for work and learned of her death after a welfare check.

“She says, ‘Erica’s gone, I’m so sorry to say that.’ “They found her in her apartment and she died, I screamed,” Denise said.

Sembera was arrested on November 28 and posted his $100,000 bail the same day.

“I feel sick. I’m so disappointed in the system and how they left him out,” Denise said.

Court records show Sembera’s girlfriend was also charged with possession in the case. His next court date is scheduled for March 2025.