Doctor Arrested for 3 Doors Down Guitarist’s Fatal Overdose

Dr. Richard Snellgrove was indicted on November 16th for unlawfully prescribing drugs in connection with the death of 3 Doors Down guitarist Matthew Roberts. The musician died August 20th at age 38 from a prescription drug overdose in a West Bend, Wisconsin hotel before a scheduled performance at a charity event for veterans. 

According to Alabama news station WKRG, investigators filed a federal complaint, stating “Dr. Snellgrove prescribed Controlled Substances to Matthew Roberts for no legitimate medical purposes.” In the filing, an unnamed subject described Dr. Snellgrove as a “celebrity junkie.” The individual described the doctor’s relationship with Roberts as “tight” and stated that the guitarist had appointments with him “after hours.”

The document alleges that Snellgrove “prescribed Controlled Substances not for a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice” from October 2010 through August 18th, 2016. Roberts had been a patient of Snellgrove’s since at least 2004. 



The complaint also claims Snellgrove prescribed drugs to other people knowing they were intended for the musician. According to the medical examiner’s report, Roberts’ official cause of death was “multiple medication intoxication (Fentanyl, Hydrocodone and Alprazolam).” Snellgrove has been charged with “knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully distribut[ing] and dispens[ing]” Lorazepam, Hydorcodone, Methadone and Fentanyl to Roberts.

After learning of his son’s death, Darrell Roberts told CNN he worried that drug problems led to his son’s passing. “I know he had prescription drug addiction,” he said. “He suffered greatly from anxiety. I thought he had beaten it all.”

“There’s no satisfaction in seeing a doctor arrested,” Darrell told Fox 6 News upon learning of the arrest. “I don’t have any bitterness, no anger, nothing like that towards the doctor, but I’m also aware this is a serious issue in the medical community all over the United States.”

Both the federal complaint and indictment are available online. 

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