Watertown man charged with overdose death

(Watertown) A Watertown man has been charged in connection with an overdose death. Dayton Grunewald is accused of first-degree manslaughter.

In December 2022, Watertown police were called to a residence on North Fourth Street in the city. When emergency responders arrived on scene, they determined that the victim had died from a suspected opiate overdose. The cause of death was confirmed to be fentanyl poisoning.

Investigators soon discovered that the victim visited a local business on the night of his death and was observed getting into a white Subaru. Video surveillance footage was turned over to law enforcement, and several officers reportedly identified the driver of the Subaru as the defendant.

Messages obtained by authorities reportedly indicate that Grunewald stated he was driving a white Subaru and asked the victim to take a controlled substance in front of him.

If convicted, the 20-year-old faces up to 40 years in prison. His first appearance is scheduled for September 16.