Man charged with murder in connection with drug overdose case

Published 5:34 pm Tuesday, January 17, 2023

A Carter County man was arrested Tuesday on an indictment charging him with murder and additional charges in connection with a drug overdose case which occurred last year.

Investigators with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office arrested John Marcos Ramos Osborne, age 20, of 1189 Highway 91, Elizabethton, Tuesday afternoon on an indictment handed down by the Carter County Grand Jury charging him with second degree murder, the sale of Schedule II drugs, and maintaining a dwelling where narcotics are sold.

“This has been an extensive investigation and a lot of groundwork has gone into this case,” Sheriff Mike Fraley said. “I would like to commend my officers for their tireless efforts in investigating this case.”

The investigation began in the early morning hours of October 29, 2022, after deputies were dispatched to a home in the Stoney Creek community on a report of a possible overdose. Upon arrival, deputies located Keaton Myson Burgess unresponsive and not breathing. He was declared deceased at the scene by the Carter County Coroner. Witnesses at the scene told officers Burgess had been consuming alcohol and had taken what was believed to be an opioid pain medication which had possibly laced with Fentanyl.

Burgess was transported to the William L. Jenkins Forensics Center at East Tennessee State University for an autopsy. The cause of death was determined to be Fentanyl and Ethanol intoxication.

During the investigation process, officers were told Burgess had purchased counterfeit 30 mg Roxicodone, also known as “Roxy 30’s,” laced with fentanyl from Osborne.

Upon the completion of the investigation, the narcotics investigation division of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office presented the case to the Carter County Grand Jury, which found probable cause and delivered a true bill indictment against Osborne charging him with second degree murder in connection with the death of Burgess, along with charges of the sale of Schedule II drugs and maintaining a dwelling where narcotics are sold.

“Our officers are working diligently to slow down the influx of drugs into our community and to identify and prosecute those involved in drug trafficking,” Fraley said. “If you deal drugs, you will be held accountable for the consequences.”

“I hope this arrest brings some comfort to the family of Mr. Burgess in knowing the person responsible has been held accountable,” Fraley added.