HBO Max’s series Toxic will feature the tragic Montgomery County, MD case of 25-year-old Sarah Harris, whose boyfriend, Dr. James Ryan– a 50-year-old oral surgeon in Germantown– was convicted of second-degree depraved heart murder and involuntary manslaughter in connection with her death.
The series is hosted by Elizabeth Chambers, who, after unraveling the lies and red flags of her own marriage, now meets with victims to investigate how love turns toxic. In season 1, episode 3 (now available to view), she “meets with the Harris family to investigate the tragic loss of their beloved daughter, and sister, Sarah; what was supposed to be a routine dental visit for Sarah turned into a toxic and dangerous relationship with a well-respected surgeon.”
Sarah Harris was found deceased in the rental home she shared with Ryan in Clarksburg on January 26, 2022. A medical examiner determined that her death was caused by ketamine, propofol, and diazepam intoxication. Ryan had been supplying her with drugs—taken from his oral surgery practice and often administered by him. Notably, before their romantic involvement, Sarah, originally his patient, had been recruited as an employee at his practice.
According to a Montgomery County Police news release, “Harris, a former patient of Dr. Ryan, began working in Ryan’s practice as a surgical technician in October of 2020. They began a romantic relationship around January of 2021, while she worked at Ryan’s practice. The two lived together in Ryan’s Clarksburg home. The relationship between the two continued until her fatal overdose on January 26, 2022. Ryan had been providing controlled substances, including Propofol, Ketamine, Diazepam, and midazolam, to Harris.
On January 26, officers from Montgomery County Police’s 5th District responded to a reported overdose at the 13900 block of Godwit Street in Clarksburg. Montgomery County Fire Rescue attempted life-saving measures, but Sarah Harris was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Initially reported as an overdose by Ryan, an investigation soon uncovered evidence that he had been providing powerful drugs to Harris. This led to his conviction on August 25, 2023, when a jury found him guilty of second-degree depraved heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, possession with intent to distribute midazolam, and the distribution of ketamine and diazepam. In January 2024, Dr. James Ryan was sentenced to 45 years in prison.