Steamboat Springs police have arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of buying a bottle of rum believed to have contributed to the death of a 17-year-old high school student.
Kevin Miller Neuwirth of Steamboat Springs turned himself in after investigators contacted him about Adele Dombrowski, a Young Life member and active high school senior found dead in bed Saturday morning.
“Through their initial investigation, they were able to come up with Mr. Neuwirth’s name and, after contacting him, he admitted or confessed to purchasing the alcohol for her,” said Sgt. Nick Bosick of the Steamboat Springs Police Department.
Neuwirth was charged with providing alcohol to an underage person and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He posted $5,000 bond and was released.
Police also cited the Bottleneck liquor store, where it is believed that Neuwirth bought the 1.75-liter bottle of Captain Morgan’s spiced rum even though he is not of legal drinking age.
Preliminary results of an autopsy won’t be available until Thursday, authorities said, but witnesses have indicated that Dombrowski and several friends drank the alcohol while attending a high school football game Friday night in Craig.
Dombrowski played tennis, hockey and volleyball, sang in a choir, played flute and danced in the Steamboat Dance Showcase, according to the Steamboat Pilot newspaper.
A friend who came to pick her up for tennis practice discovered her body in bed about 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Her mother and stepfather, Kris and Jim Stouffer, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 2 p.m Friday in the Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel, with a public viewing beginning at noon.
Staff writer Steve Lipsher can be reached at 970-513-9495 or slipsher@denverpost.com.
