Five women stood outside the Marshall City Office prior to last week’s city council meeting, calling on city leaders to do more to combat the presence of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.

Prior to the Apr. 23, 2026 Marshall City Council meeting, residents (from left) Chelsey Green, Destiny Tucker, Michelle Lea, Ariel Lea, and Laura Cooper hold signs calling for more action from city leaders to tackle fentanyl and other illicit drugs. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

At least two of the signs displayed Apr. 23 contained the names of residents who the women say died from drug overdoses. Among the names was 27-year-old Tanicia Conway, who they identified as the woman who was pronounced deceased at Fitzgibbon Hospital on Apr. 17, where she had been taken after a suspected overdose. Chelsey Green says she was one of Conway’s close friends.

Another demonstrator, Destiny Tucker, addressed the council during the public comment portion of Thursday’s meeting. Before the comment period, Mayor Craig Thompson read aloud a statement addressing criticism and discussion that had unfolded on social media and other venues.

A spokesman for Marshall Police says their investigation into the Apr. 17 incident remains active as of Thursday afternoon. Thompson encourages residents to speak up if they see something concerning illicit drugs.

Mayor Craig Thompson at the Marshall City Council meeting Apr. 23, 2026. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

Thompson also stressed the need for people battling addiction to seek help from community organizations and health care providers that focus on substance abuse treatment. Green made a similar plea.

Below is video of the Apr. 23, 2026 meeting of the Marshall City Council: