Convicted felon now indicted in 3 separate fentanyl-related deaths; Most in Chatham County’s history

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Savannah man is now being charged in the overdose deaths of 3 different people.

Chatham County court records show additional charges after we brought you one death he’s charged in last week.

These crimes are being prosecuted under Austin’s law.

It was signed just two years ago and creates the specific felony charge of ‘aggravated involuntary manslaughter’ for fentanyl distribution that leads to death.

Prosecutors in Georgia have been able to pursue that charge for about two years now.

Now one man in Chatham County has been charged with 3 deaths. 48-year-old Michael Eden now faces charges in 3 different overdose deaths in Savannah over the last several years.

When arrested by CNT, authorities say he was found in possession of a shotgun and a .38 pistol.

Last week, he was indicted on charges for the death of 30-year-old Taylor Williams.

Prosecutors allege Eden gave Taylor Reed Williams a substance containing fentanyl on April 6, 2026, representing it as a controlled substance. Williams died the following day, April 7, 2026 when she was 30 years old.

Now specially presented indictments this week reveal he’s being charged with 2 more overdose deaths: 25-year-old Thomas Dunsizer’s death in 2021 and 45-year-old Christopher Preiss’s death in 2024.

He’s being charged with felony murder and aggravated involuntary manslaughter.

“It speaks volumes to, you know, this fentanyl crisis that we’ve got in our community. The fact that our legislators pass a law directed towards fentanyl overdoses,” said Boone Phillips, a local defense attorney in Savannah.

Austin’s law only applies to cases from 2024 and on... So any fentanyl overdose death after the law was signed can have that charge brought.

If an overdose death happened before the law was signed-- prosecutors are charging dealers using felony murder.

With this manslaughter charge, the state won’t have to prove the dealer knew the drugs had fentanyl in them.

“Just the intent to sell it is all they have to prove, and so that can be accomplished by, you know, text messages, phone calls,” said Phillips.

Savannah Defense Attorney Boone Phillips says this specific charge gives prosecutors more wiggle room, essentially with charges-- sentencing time-- and negotiations.

“I think that this new charge allows prosecutors a little more leverage to work out cases, to negotiate cases, being that the penalty doesn’t involve a life sentence,” said Phillips.

The state is looking to charge him as a recidivist due to his criminal history.

Court records show he has multiple prior convictions, including:

• Theft by receiving
• Interference with government property (two counts)
• Misrepresenting a non-controlled substance
• Possession of a controlled substance

He’ll be back in court on November 3rd to make his plea.

A judge previously denied Eden bond on the grounds that he poses a significant risk of fleeing or failing to appear, a significant risk of committing a new offense while out on bond, and he’s a risk to the community.

CNT Investigates and brings cases to Grand Jury

We spoke with Michael Sarhatt, the Director of CNT. While he cannot go into case-specific details, he said he and his team developed enough evidence and took the cases to a grand jury.

They linked Eden to 3 overdose deaths, and that this is the most that 1 person has been charged with in Chatham County history.

Sarhatt said CNT is actively investigating other cases continuously, and they are committed to aggressively investigating overdoses.

He said his heart goes out to these families, and sends a stern warning to drug dealers in our community, “We’re coming after you.”

He also told us that this kind of case is getting to where this will become a more common occurrence.

About the victims

Christopher Robert Preiss, age 45, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024.

“Chris was born in Virginia and worked as a roofer for many years and recently as an apprentice steel welder. Chris was a comedian and always had a way to keep laughter in the room and a smile on the people’s faces around him. He was a loving son, father, and brother, and will be missed by many,” according to his obituary.

He’s survived by a loving family, along with 2 daughters.

25-year-old Tommy Dunsizer passed away unexpectedly on July 16th, 2021.

According to his obituary, “He was a talented artist who loved to skateboard and hangout with his friends. He leaves behind his parents, who love him more than words can express. He also leaves behind grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Tommy was known for his generous heart and quick wit....”

Taylor Williams, 30, worked as a waitress at Mellow Mushroom in Savannah. Her family described her as “a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend whose spirit will be cherished and remembered forever.”

“Taylor’s vibrant soul will forever inspire and guide those who were fortunate to know her,” her family said in her obituary.

“Taylor’s vibrant personality and unique spirit illuminated the world around her. A graduate of high school, she sought to share her warmth and kindness with others through her work as a waitress in the food service industry. Her dedication to her role was surpassed only by the joy she brought to her customers and colleagues alike.

True to her punk rock style and hippie heart, Taylor embraced life with a sense of adventure and a love for the great outdoors. She found peace and inspiration in nature. Taylor’s passion for earrings was well-known, as she loved to express her individuality and creativity through intricate and unique designs. Taylor’s family was everything to her," her obituary read.

We will continue to follow these cases as they move through the court system.