Former Manitowoc doctor Charles Szyman dies at 66

MANITOWOC - Dr. Charles Szyman, the Manitowoc doctor accused of over-prescribing narcotic medications, died Saturday. He was 66.

Szyman was indicted for federal drug trafficking charges on July 21, 2016, and found not guilty after a five-day trial in the Eastern Wisconsin District Court in November 2017.

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He was also facing a wrongful deaths lawsuit with Holy Family Memorial in Manitowoc County Circuit Court. The lawsuit, filed Oct. 4, 2016, alleges Szyman caused the deaths of Heidi Buretta, Monica Debot, Mark Gagnon and Alan Eggert through his practice and prescription of narcotics.

Szyman's criminal and civil cases began with an investigation into his medical practices by the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in November 2015.

According to the 2016 indictment, the activity resulting in 19 drug trafficking charges was tracked by undercover agents posing as patients during the investigation.

Szyman primarily prescribed oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine, hydromorphone and hydrocodone to his patients.

During the trial in federal court, Szyman testified about his practices and said high-dosage narcotics seemed like a practical therapy to treat non-malignant chronic pain. He said he only used it as a last resort when no other treatments would help the patient.

According to an obituary, a prayer service is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Pfeffer Funeral Home, 928 S. 14th St., Manitowoc, and family will greet relatives and friends at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

The obituary added that "in lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention."