Lawrence woman convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2021 fentanyl death

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Chloe L. Colby, 23, of Lawrence, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of a controlled substance in the death of a 21-year-old Lawrence man. 

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on April 17, 2021, when Colby called emergency communications to report that her boyfriend, Kendall R. Stiffler, was unresponsive in their home located in the 1500 block of Lynch Court in Lawrence. Stiffler later died at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. An autopsy advised that Stiffler died from complication of fentanyl intoxication with probable methamphetamine intoxication as a contributory factor.

“We continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those who distribute fentanyl to protect our loved ones from this devastating public health crisis,” District Attorney Valdez said. 

The State of Kansas was represented by Deputy District Attorney David Greenwald. The matter was investigated by the Lawrence Kansas Police Department.  
Sentencing was set by Judge Sally Pokorny for 10 a.m. on October 4, 2024, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Colby faces between 31 and 136 months in prison for the involuntary manslaughter conviction and between 8 and 45 months in prison for conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Colby also must register as a violent offender for 15 years. 

For those seeking substance abuse treatment resources in Kansas, call 211. Visit the website for Lawrence-based nonprofit DCCCA, which provides free naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray, fentanyl test strips and training to community organizations and Kansas residents, at http://bit.ly/3xyc9lU.