Rochester man ID'd as victim in fatal Dover drug overdose

DOVER - The Dover Police Department today identified a Rochester man as the victim in a suspected drug overdose death last Wednesday in Dover.

Michael Rowe, 42, was found unresponsive and pronounced deceased around 9 p.m. after police responded to the area of Merry and Ridge streets in Dover.

Dover Police Lt. Brant Dolleman said on Thursday the body was found lying on the pavement in a parking lot by an individual or individuals who indicated in their 911 call there was a medical emergency. He also said there was no sign of violence connected with the incident.

While the cause and manner of Rowe' death will ultimately be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, based on the investigation to date it appears to be drug related, police said today.

If Rowe's death is due to a drug overdose, it will be Dover's sixth this year, after 12 suspected drug related deaths in 2016. The Dover Police Department has responded to eight nonfatal drug overdoses so far this year.

This case is being investigated by the Dover Police Department's Special Investigations Bureau. 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.