Homicide Arrest for Fentanyl Poisoning Death
January 25, 2025 – Placer County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Thursday, January 23rd 29-year-
old Christopher Williams was arrested for homicide in the fentanyl poisoning death of 20-year-old Spencer Newsom. Spencer was found dead in his Roseville apartment on September 21st of 2020. His cause of death was determined to be fentanyl poisoning.
A comprehensive investigation was completed by Placer Opioid Response Team detectives culminating in Williams’ arrest. He was arrested at his residence in Citrus Heights by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Placer Opioid Response Team and the Placer Sheriff Special Operations Unit. Williams was booked into the Sacramento County Jail for homicide.
Following the arrest, Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said, “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.”
This case was considered “cold”, but our detectives didn’t give up, making this the first cold case fentanyl poisoning homicide arrest in the state. 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.
Source: Placer County Sheriff’s Office
