Police believe opioid overdose has claimed Dover's 12th victim this year

DOVER - Dover Police are investigating the apparent overdose death of a Dover man.

According to a press release sent today, the department along with the Chief Medical Examiner is investigating the death of John Vavra, 30, of 71 Portland Ave.

Dover Police and Dover Fire and Rescue responded to Vavra's residence around 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday after he had been found unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

While the cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, at this time it appears to be an overdose, police say.

If that holds true, Vavra's death will be the suspected 12th death found to be caused by an overdose this year, all of which are suspected to have been opioid related although some toxicology tests are still pending.

The Dover Police Department has also responded to 59 nonfatal drug overdoses this year.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Dover Police Department at 603-742-4646. Anonymous tips may be called into the Dover Crimeline at 603-749-6000. The Dover Crimeline can also be contacted via www.dovernhcrimeline.org.