Man charged with murder in 2023 fentanyl overdose death
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A man was charged with murder in connection with a September 2023 south Austin fentanyl overdose death, according to court documents.
Records showed 64-year-old Clifford John Grove was charged related to the death of 31-year-old Oliver William Jackson.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, phone and chat records were used to identify Grove as a suspect.
During the initial police response, investigators found Jackson lying unresponsive and attached to medical tubes/devices on the floor in the kitchen of a residence in the 9000 block of Sugar Hill Lane.
The affidavit said evidence seized at the residence included:
- Orange drinking straw, cut down from original length
- Clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance, suspected to be fentanyl
- Jackson’s iPhone with a shattered screen
- Several pieces of tin foil with burnt residue
Jackson’s body was tested at the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the affidavit said he tested positive for fentanyl. His death was ruled to be caused by a toxic overdose of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin and diphenhydramine.
The affidavit said Grove knowingly delivered fentanyl to Jackson, who died as a result of its ingestion.
The murder charge against Grove was filed March 13. As of Dec. 6, there was still an active warrant out for Grove’s arrest.
This case is being investigated as Austin's 74th homicide of 2023.
Previously APD said there were only 73 homicides in 2023, it has since been announced there were 75.