Kansas City, Missouri man pleads to voluntary manslaughter in 2021 fentanyl death

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Daniele Leone, 33, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance in the fentanyl death of a 32-year-old Lawrence man. 

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on March 15, 2021, when the Lawrence man was discovered unresponsive in a home located in the E. 1300 block of 13th Street.

“Fentanyl is continuing to kill our friends, neighbors and family members,” District Attorney Suzanne Valdez said. “My office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to educate our community and to prosecute those dealing in this deadly drug.”

The State of Kansas was represented by Senior Assistant District Attorney David Greenwald. The matter was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department.  

Sentencing was set by Judge Stacey Donovan for 1:30 p.m. on October 10, 2023, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.