Fentanyl overdose killed Placer firefighter recruit. Homicide suspect arrested in ‘cold case’

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man Thursday in connection to the fentanyl poisoning death of a 20-year-old man who’s family has become outspoken advocates about the dangers of the deadly drug.

Spencer Newsom, 20, was found dead in his Roseville apartment more than four years ago. He bought what he believed to be a Xanax pill from Snapchat and died, Newsom’s mother Laura Collanton said in recording published by Placer County.

“He was alone and no one was there to help,” Collanton said.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office has been on the forefront of attempting a novel approach to fight fentanyl deaths: Charging suspected drug dealers with homicide. Northern California’s first homicide trial in which a victim died of a fentanyl overdose stemmed from a case tried by the Placer County District Attorney’s Office. Carson Schewe was sentenced to 20 years in prison last month.

Newsom, the oldest of three siblings, had finished his EMT training at Sierra College and sought to enroll in the fire academy, Collanton said.

But he died before completing the fire academy. Newsom died Sept. 21, 2020.

His family remembered him as a natural leader who was no stranger to challenging the rules. He loved music and playing sports.

Christopher Williams, 29, was arrested in Citrus Heights on suspicion of homicide. He was booked at the downtown Sacramento County Main Jail and is scheduled to appear in court Monday, according to online court records.

The Sheriff’s Office said the Williams’ arrest marks the first time a law enforcement agency in California resolved a cold case involving a fatal fentanyl overdose.

“This case was considered ‘cold’, but our detectives didn’t give up, making this the first cold case fentanyl poisoning homicide arrest in the state,” sheriff’s officials said in the social media post.

Collanton added: “His death has changed my life. Losing a child is an unimaginable sorrow.”

This story was originally published January 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM.