Moberly man charged with murder in drug overdose death

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Moberly man was booked into jail Wednesday on suspicion of second-degree murder and drug dealing in connection with a July 2023 overdose death.

Michael A. Graves, 32, was charged on Thursday with second-degree murder and delivery of a controlled substance. Graves was in the Randolph County Jail on Thursday without bond. A court date has not been set.

Graves is suspected in the death of a Moberly resident from a fentanyl overdose, the Moberly Police Department said in a news release. Graves is accused of supplying the drug. The name of the victim has not been released.

According to the probable cause statement, Moberly police were called to a residence on July 25, 2023, for a call about a dead man in the living room. The kitchen sink was running and Moberly Utilities informed police that 1,856 gallons of water were used on July 23 and another 1,863 gallons were used on July 24, which is consistent with constant running, the statement says.

The body had “moderate decomposition” which meant the man had been dead for several days, the statement says.

The statement says that a plastic container was found in the living that contained two blue pills with an “M” in a square on one side, and the number “30” on the other side, which tested positive for fentanyl.

Court documents also say that the victim’s bank records indicate that 27 transactions – ranging from $5-$230 – were made with the application Cash App. The statements says payments were made to Graves between May12-July21. On July 17, Graves had apparently sent a video to the victim on Snapchat that showed a plastic bag containing a white, powdery substance, the statement says.

The statement also says that Graves and the victim had a conversation on Snapchat on July 22 which appeared to show the two setting up a drug deal.