Suspect Charged in Connection With Drug Overdose Death Sentenced to Prison

Friday, February 16th, 2024 -- 12:00 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) One of the suspects charged in connection with an overdose death in a sober living facility will spend time in prison.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, court records show Shawn Rhyner will serve five years in prison after pleading no contest to one count of manufacturing or delivering heroin and possessing a short-barrel rifle or shotgun.

Numerous other counts were dismissed but read into the record including reckless homicide by delivering drugs, possession of THC, and maintaining a drug trafficking place. After his prison time, he will also spend five years on extended supervision.

Conditions of that include maintaining full-time employment or community service, no contact with the victim’s family, and absolute sobriety from drugs and alcohol. The 36-year-old also pleaded no contest to a count of bail jumping.

Numerous other counts were dismissed but read in as well. Shwan Rhyner and Brianne Rhyner are said to have transported the drugs to the victim, who was found dead from an overdose in his sober living apartment in Wausau.

One of the victim’s neighbors, identified as Ledell Kirkwood, is said to have arranged the purchase and delivery. Brianne Rhyner faces charges of reckless homicide by delivery of drugs and manufacturing or delivering heroin.

Kirkwood also faces a count of homicide by delivery of drugs. Court action against both of those individuals remains in progress, with Brianne Rhyner returning to court on March 8th for a pretrial conference.

Kirkwood is scheduled for a one-day trial on April 16th. The victim, who has not been identified, died last February.

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