7/16/15 UPDATE:
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled both deaths as "Fentanyl Intoxication." Burlington Police Detectives are continuing to investigate this incident. The Burlington Police Department is offering a substantial cash reward for information leading to an arrest of the person or persons responsible for distribution of the lethal dosages of Fentanyl to the two victim's. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mellis at (802) 540-2297.
6/29/2015 UPDATE:
Update 6-29-15
Preliminary lab results from residue found at the scene indicated the presence of Heroin and Fentanyl. Full toxicology results from the autopsies are expected in the next few weeks.
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This morning at 8:55 am Burlington Police and Fire Departments were summoned to a residence on Ward Street in Burlington. Family members reported that two brothers, Dennis (34) and Sean Thibault (32) (of Burlington and Westford, respectively) were found unresponsive at the house.
On arrival first responders found that both men were deceased. Preliminary indications indicate that they succumbed to drug overdoses. However, a full investigation is under way and an autopsy will be performed later today or tomorrow to determine the cause and manner of death.
On December 4, 2014 Burlington Police Detective and Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at the same residence. A press release related to that investigation, search warrant, and arrest is attached for reference. At that time records showed that Police and Fire responders had been to the house for two prior overdose calls. There have been no calls to the residence since December 4, 2014.
Also attached is a data set produced on June 12 (not including these two instances of suspected overdose) that show an alarming increase in the number of reported overdoses year to date. As of June 12, 30 overdoses had been reported to Burlington Police (exclusive of other overdoses not reported to police) compared to 37 for the entire 2014 calendar year.
Among the issues contributing to an increase in overdoses, investigators believe that an increasing number of heroin packages contain fentanyl, making a dangerous use of drugs even more dangerous.
More information will follow as it is available.
For other documents regarding this case, please visit our website at: http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/Police/Press
