By Sara Beth Williams–
A Citrus Heights man was arrested last week on charges of homicide and now resides in Placer County jail.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, Sacramento County Sheriff deputies arrested 29-year-old Christopher Williams at his residence in Citrus Heights for homicide in the fentanyl poisoning death of 20-year-old Spencer Newsom, according to a news release from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Spencer was found dead in his Roseville apartment on Sept. 21, 2020. His cause of death was determined to be fentanyl poisoning, the release said.
A “comprehensive investigation” was completed by Placer Opioid Response Team detectives prior to Williams’ arrest. The Placer Opioid Response Team and Placer Sheriff Special Operations Unit, along with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, assisted in the arrest.
Williams was initially booked into the Sacramento County Jail for homicide, and then transferred to the Placer County jail in Auburn on Jan. 27, according to Placer County Police Communication Manager Elise Soviar. Placer County inmate records show he now resides in the Placer County main Jail as of Jan. 3o.
“I am incredibly proud of our detectives’ commitment to bringing the person responsible for Spencer’s death to justice. Let this serve as a clear message: we will not tolerate the sale of this deadly drug in our county,” Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said following the suspect’s arrest, adding that the case had gone cold, but detectives “didn’t give up.”
The arrest marks the first cold case fentanyl poisoning homicide arrest in the state, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, and the sixth murder charge filed in response to fatal fentanyl poisonings according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
Arrest records show Williams has been arrested in years past on a string of charges, including possession of a narcotic controlled substance in 2019 by the Citrus Heights Police Department, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in 2020 in East Los Angeles, and possession of a controlled substance for sale in 2021 in Marina Del Rey.
“While seeking justice won’t bring back the life lost, our hope is to provide some closure for those who will never get to hug Spencer again,” Woo said.
Williams is being held in Placer County without bail, and is next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 20.
A Citrus Heights man was arrested last week on charges of homicide and now resides in...
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