Murder charge dropped for man previously accused in 2021 overdose death

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was previously charged with murder in an overdose death from December 2021 is no longer facing felony charges.

Boone County prosecutors dismissed the case against Nicholas Gratwohl on Aug. 26 “because of developments in the evidence,” according to an email from Prosecutor Roger Johnson. Gratwohl was originally charged with second-degree murder and drug distribution.

Cases are still pending for Jeanne Hovis and Jonathan Shelley. Both were originally charged with second-degree murder and drug distribution. Hovis had her murder charge dropped, but is still facing the drug charge and has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15.

Court documents in previous reporting say Shelley was with the overdose victim, whom police found lying unresponsive in a bathtub. Another statement says Hovis arranged the purchase of crack cocaine and fentanyl, which was delivered by Grathwohl, the night of the overdose.

Nathaniel Cross was also charged in the case, but has since died, Johnson wrote.