Lawrence woman sentenced to prison for boyfriend’s fentanyl-related death

LAWRENCE, Kansas (KCTV) – A Lawrence woman will serve prison time after pleading guilty to manslaughter in connection with the fentanyl death of her boyfriend.

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez announced Wednesday, July 3, that Chloe L. Colby, 23, of Lawrence, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy to illegally distribute a controlled substance. The move follows the death of a 21-year-old Lawrence man.

According to court records, the conviction stems from an April 2021 incident in which Colby called 911 to report that her boyfriend, Kendall R. Stiffler, was unresponsive at their home in the 1500 block of Lynch Ct. He later died at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

An autopsy revealed that Stiffler died as a result of fentanyl poisoning, although methamphetamine poisoning may have played a role.

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

A sentencing hearing for Colby is scheduled for October 4 at 10 a.m. before Judge Sally Pokorny at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. She faces between 31 and 136 months in prison for the manslaughter conviction and between 8 and 45 months for the drug trafficking charge, for a maximum of 15 years.

Valdez pointed out that Colby must also be registered as a violent offender for 15 years.

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