Sandra Rothweiler
VENTURA COUNTY — It has been well over a year since 61-year-old Ventura resident Della Gleeson was found dead in her home, the result of which Ventura County Sheriff’s Department detectives, working in concert with the Thousand Oaks Police Department, and the California Department of Health Care Services suspect was a prescription drug overdose.
The immediately-ensuing investigation pointed to Thousand Oaks hospice caregiver 48-year-old Sandra Rothweiler as the “possible supply source of prescription medication” administered to Gleeson, according to the August 2015 report to the media filed by Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Victor Fazio.
Rothweiler, who had cared for Gleeson’s mother in 2014, allegedly befriended Gleeson and “remained in contact” with her following her mother’s death.
Following the death of Gleeson, VCSD detectives of the Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit came to suspect Rothweiler of “illegal activity regarding prescription medication and her employment” involving the hoarding of medications acquired from patients under her care.
An August 2015 warrant search of her residence determined Rothweiler to be in possession of “significant amounts” of OsyContin, Xanax, Morphine, and Ritalin, leading to her arrest on charges of possession for sale of controlled substances.
Further investigation into Rothweiler’s activities persisted, leading to her January 6, 2017, arrest in connection with Gleeson’s death.
Rothweiler was taken into custody at her home and transported to Ventura County Jail, where she was booked on charges of possession of controlled substances for sale and manslaughter, with her bail set at $100,000.
Photo: courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
