Elizabethton man charged with murder following fatal drug overdose

An Elizabethton man was arrested Tuesday for second-degree murder, stemming from a drug overdose last year. A report from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office says John Osborne, 20, was named the person responsible for selling fentanyl-laced pills, resulting in the death of Keaton Burgess.

Deputies responded to a Stoney Creek residence in October 2022, where they found Burgess deceased. Witnesses told police he was drinking alcohol and took what he thought was a 30 mg Roxicodone. Autopsy confirmed Burgess overdosed from a fentanyl-laced pill and alcohol consumption.

Investigation developed John Osborne the person who sold Burgess the counterfeit pills, and he was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder, among other related crimes.

(Image: CCSO)