Worcester Man Faces Manslaughter Charge After Woman's Overdose Death

Worcester MA

06 September, 2022

11:30 AM

Description

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester man has been charged with manslaughter following a woman's drug overdose death in March, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. The 36-year-old woman died on March 18 after taking what she believed to be cocaine at a home along Stowell Avenue. Tests later confirmed that she had ingested a mixture of fentanyl and an animal tranquilizer called xylazine. The 31-year-old man charged in her death sold the drugs, authorities said. He was arrested on Friday and is also facing a charge of distributing a class A substance. He was set to appear in court on Tuesday. Early's office has previously warned about a possible uptick in overdose deaths due to xylazine, which dealers use to cut opioids and other drugs. The effects of xylazine cannot be reversed using traditional overdose medications like Narcan.