A University of Georgia student who died in his dorm room in January was killed by an accidental fentanyl overdose, according to a toxicology report released today.

David Braun

David Peacock Braun, 21, of Marietta, was found dead in his East Campus Village dorm room Jan. 14 after one of his suitemates told housing officials he hadn't come out of his room in days.

Fentanyl is a prescription narcotic that is similar to heroin. It is 50–100 times more potent than morphine. It is used as a sedative, general anesthetic and, in patch form, to manage chronic long-term pain. It is also abused as a recreational drug. Authorities did not say whether Braun had a prescription.

UGA police released a warning today about the dangers of fentanyl.

The use of such substances has the potential to cause serious harm, up to and including death," police said. "In the last year, many areas around the country have seen an up swing in fentanyl-related overdoses, with the University of Georgia population experiencing several very similar incidents in recent months...

"Aside from being against the law, engaging is such activity increases an individual’s chances of becoming the victim of other crimes associated with purchasing and using such substances. There is also no certainty of what you are ingesting when you obtain such substances. The use of illegal substances carries the risk of physical harm or death, which is greatly increased when substances are mixed."

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner's Office and the Clarke County Coroner's Office conducted the investigation into Braun's death.