WORCESTER — On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 39-year-old Eric Stone of Leominster pleaded guilty to manslaughter and drug distribution charges in connection with a fatal overdose that occurred in Fitchburg in June 2024.
According to a statement from Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr., Stone pleaded guilty in Worcester Superior Court to involuntary manslaughter, distribution of a Class A substance (fentanyl), and distribution of cocaine.
Judge William Ritter sentenced Stone to four to five years in state prison for the manslaughter conviction, followed by two years of probation on the distribution charges, to be served after his prison term.
Officials say that on June 20, 2024, Fitchburg police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office responded to the unattended death of a 44-year-old man at a residence in Fitchburg.
“Detectives determined that Mr. Stone supplied the victim with cocaine and fentanyl in the early morning hours of June 20, just prior to the victim’s death,” The Worcester County DA’s office said in a statement. “It was later determined that the victim died as a result of acute intoxication from the combined effects of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and bupropion.”
Stone was initially arrested by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office on January 24, 2025, and arraigned in Fitchburg District Court. He was later indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury on March 28, 2025, and has remained in custody since his arrest.
“It is our hope that today’s plea brings some measure of justice and closure to the victim’s family and loved ones,” Early said. “I want to commend the Fitchburg Police Department investigators and State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, as well as Assistant District Attorney Nathan Morse and Victim Witness Advocate Maria Deyette, for their hard work on this case.”
Fitchburg Police Chief Steven Giannini added, “This case is a painful reminder of the deadly consequences of the opioid crisis. I’m thankful to District Attorney Early and his team for holding those accountable who profit from poisoning our communities. I hope this outcome can bring some measure of justice to the victim’s friends and family.”
