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Man Facing Murder Charges for Fatal Overdose

For Immediate Release : Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Release Number: 21-167

Date

Location

15000 Arbor Reserve Circle Tampa, FL
Man Facing Murder Charges for Fatal Overdose

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for supplying the drug that led to another individual's fatal overdose. 
 
On November 8, 2020, Stephen Bowman, 59, called 911 to report he found the victim unresponsive inside an apartment located on the 15000 block of Arbor Reserve Circle in Tampa. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
 
During an interview with detectives, Bowman admitted to giving the victim a drug prior to his death, and further admitted to tampering with physical evidence before deputies arrived at the scene. Bowman was arrested.
 
Autopsy and toxicology results revealed the victim's cause of death to be intoxication by gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
 
Detectives presented these findings to the State Attorney's Office and Bowman was charged with Murder in the First Degree Which Resulted From The Unlawful Distribution Of A Controlled Substance. 
 
"This man's reckless decision led to the loss of a human life and landed him behind bars with a murder charge," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "While regret will not do much for him at this point, we hope this case serves as a warning to others."