D.A.: 39-year-old Massachusetts man sentenced to prison in overdose death of co-worker

A 39-year-old man from Leominster, pleaded guilty yesterday in Worcester Superior Court to manslaughter and drug distribution charges tied to a fatal overdose in Fitchburg last June, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. announced.

Eric Stone of Leominster admitted to involuntary manslaughter, distributing a Class A substance (fentanyl), and distributing cocaine. Judge William Ritter imposed a state prison term of 4 to 5 years for the manslaughter conviction, followed by two years of probation for the drug offenses.

On June 20, 2024, Fitchburg Police and Massachusetts State Police detectives from the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office arrived at a Fitchburg home for an unattended death call involving a 44-year-old man. The investigation revealed Stone had provided the victim with cocaine and fentanyl in the early morning hours before his passing. An autopsy confirmed the death resulted from acute intoxication due to a lethal combination of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and bupropion.

Stone was arrested on January 24, 2025, by state police detectives and arraigned in Fitchburg District Court. A Worcester County grand jury indicted him on March 28, 2025, and he has remained in custody since.

According to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the deceased and Stone worked together at the 873 Cafe in Ashby and there was a text message exchange discussing a drug deal.

“We hope this plea offers some sense of justice and closure for the victim’s family and friends,” Early said. “I commend the Fitchburg Police investigators, state police detectives, Assistant District Attorney Nathan Morse, and Victim Witness Advocate Maria Deyette for their diligent efforts on this case.”

Fitchburg Police Chief Steven D. Giannini added, “This tragedy underscores the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic. I’m grateful to District Attorney Early and his team for ensuring accountability for those who poison our communities for profit. May this resolution provide solace to the victim’s loved ones.”