A 28-year-old man died Wednesday in Durango of a suspected heroin overdose.

La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said an autopsy on Donald Grotts would be conducted Wednesday. She suspects the death was an overdose, but she won’t be able to confirm it until the toxicology reports come back in a few weeks.

“I hope the story will be how to get the drug out of this town,” said Jeff Wall, owner of Balcony Bar & Grill, where Grotts, known as “Donnie,” worked as a line cook.

Wall said he had employed Grotts on-and-off for five years at the Balcony and for about five years before that at Lady Falconburgh’s Barley Exchange.

Grotts had also worked for the last six months or so as a preparation cook at Carver Brewing Co.

“We’re a big family here,” said Blaine Bailey, the sous chef at Carver’s, “and it’s hit everyone pretty hard. He had an important role here and worked well with our team.”

In the last two months, Grotts had been learning new techniques and teaching others.

“He was taking a leadership role in the prep area,” Bailey said.

Grotts’ brother, Howard, is a well-known professional mountain bike competitor. Their parents are Don Grotts and Debbie Williams.

Grotts’ personality and team-player attitude was mentioned by both Wall and Bailey.

“He was a really nice young man,” Wall said, “always trying to help others.”

Grotts had just turned 28 on Tuesday, Wall said.

“You’d see him always running around town,” he said. “He just loved hanging out with his buddies.”

abutler@durangoherald.com

This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Donnie.