Vigil Planned for Griswold Teen Who Died of Heroin Overdose

A vigil will be held at Veterans Memorial Park in Griswold tonight to remember a 17-year-old girl and other victims who died of drug overdoses.

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Roark died of a heroin overdose on May 29 after passing out inside a room at the Flagship Inn & Suites in Groton.

After a week-long investigation, police charged Ramon Gomez, 40, of Uncasville, with supplying the heroin. Police said Adele Bouthillier, 42, of Groton, gave Roark the drug in the motel room and waited four hours to call 911 after waking up and finding Roark unresponsive.

Groton police previously arrested Gomez, who is accused of forcing the girl into prostitution.

Roark, who was a junior at Griswold Alternative High School, is being remembered for being involved in a church youth group.

Her death has impacted many people, including the first responders who tried to save her.

"Seventeen-year-old, they're still just a child. I think it affects us -- the law enforcement arm of it, the firefighters, the EMTs." Lt. John Varone, of Groton Town Police, said.