The death of a longtime Vero Beach defense attorney found inside his home in late February was ruled accidental from a drug overdose, Vero Beach police officials said Friday. A fire that erupted in the man’s home a day after he was found was also deemed accidental.
The autopsy report for Stephen “Steve” Douglas Fromang, 69, showed that he died from an accidental cocaine overdose, Vero Beach police spokesman Master Officer Darrell Rivers said. The fire that erupted in Fromang’s home the next day left little damage, Rivers said.
Police said Fromang’s death was not considered suspicious and that they did not suspect any foul play. Rivers said the case is closed.
Fromang was admitted to the Florida Bar on Nov. 19, 1976, according to Florida Bar officials. The attorney specialized in private law practice and graduated from Cornell Law School in 1976.
Police said Fromang’s friend found his body on Feb. 28 at Fromang’s home office in the 1600 block of 26th Street. Fromang’s home is located southeast of the Vero Beach Regional Airport.
Officers said a small blaze kindled at Fromang’s home about 7 a.m. the next day. Indian River County Fire Rescue extinguished the fire on an interior wall within minutes, Battalion Chief Roger Dion previously said.
The blaze left minor smoke damage in the residence, Dion said. No injuries were reported from the fire.