Two facing charges related to overdose death at DuComb Center

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- Two men are facing charges related to the overdose death of Cody Woody while all three were inmates at the DuComb Center.

On December 24, 2017, South Bend Police and South Bend Fire were called to the DuComb Center for an unresponsive male.

Cody Woody, who was in Dormitory D, was found unresponsive. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful and he was pronounced deceased.

ABC57 News sat down with St. Joseph County Prosecutor, Ken Cotter, about the investigation.

"There was some indication that maybe a drug deal had gone on," he explains. "So pursuant to protocol, first our homicide unit and then our Drug Investigation Unit activated and investigated this."

On December 26, inmate Alexander Traxler asked to speak with investigators about Woody's death.

He told investigators inmate Christopher Susaraba smuggled "dope" into the facility. He believed the "dope" was heroin, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Woody allegedly told Traxler he wanted to buy some dope, so Traxler set him up with Susaraba.

The inmates knew there were cameras in the dormitories and the day room but not the bathroom. Susaraba's bunk was considered the "Cadillac" because it offers more privacy from the cameras, reports said.

Cotter says that inmates are searched prior to entering their pods and dorms. 

It's unclear how the drugs were brought in.

Traxler got playing cards and helped provide cover for Susaraba while he divided the drugs, reports said.

While watching Susaraba, Traxler said the drugs didn't look like normal heroin. Susaraba told Woody the drugs were okay.

Traxler tested out the drugs, and said it tasted like "Decon" or kitty litter. 

He then allegedly advised Woody to not do the drugs, because of his concerns. 

Susaraba, Traxler and Woody went into the bathroom at 4:51 p.m. and exited at 4:53 p.m.

Allegedly, Woody then snorted the substance.

Woody went straight to his bunk and was found unresponsive at 6:04 p.m.

Investigators reviewed the video footage to confirm the events prior to Woody's death.

Susaraba spoke with investigators but denied providing the drugs to Woody.

The autopsy found fentanyl and methamphetamine in Woody's system at the time of his death.

Susaraba and Traxler have been charged with dealing in a narcotic drug and trafficking with an inmate.