Easter will never be the same...

[Dawnbart]

As with every holiday, I called my stepdaughter to say Happy Easter, and she didn't answer.
She messaged me and said I'm sorry I haven't called, but pray. Please pray. My brother is missing.
He was at her house for dinner with her, her Mother and her 2 little girls, on Wednesday evening (before Easter) and left to go back to his halfway house, and his last words were, "See everyone at Moms, on Easter" and never was heard from since.
He has battled opioid addiction, for a few years. Got caught, and did time in state prison.
He paroled out, to a halfway house. Had been doing SUPER!! Working an electrician union job, making superb money and really focusing on his sobriety, and family.
Easter Sunday arrives. Everyone is arriving at my stepdaughters, Mothers house, to celebrate the holiday. Children were laughing and running around in their pretty dresses, and suits. And meanwhile, everyone is making every attempt to locate her brother. To no avail.
Midway through dinner, my stepdaughter broke down. She started sobbing uncontrollably, and looked at her Mother and said, "Mom, something is wrong. Something is not right. Where is my brother?!?!?" At that point her stepdad stood up midway through his meal and said, "I'm out of here. I have got to go find my stepson" and flew to Scranton, to the halfway house.
His rental car was in the parking lot. He attempted to pound on his door, to no avail. Another rentor came out of his place, and said, Sir I'm sorry but they kicked his door in, and took him out of here Thursday.
3 days later, Easter Sunday and his Mother still hadn't been notified (his next of kin) he had all types of ID on him. His PO knew. Yet, if his stepdad hadn't drove all the way to Scranton, we never wouldn't known.
He relapsed. Pure fentanyl, per the coroner. (Her Mother drove to Scranton then, and met with the local police detective)
My stepdaughter called me right away, and I flew as fast as I could to be by her side. And to get the children out of there, if need be.
Heartbreaking to say the least. The poor Mother of this boy. I cannot even begin to explain how gut wrenching the atmosphere was, at that home yesterday.
Addiction is the devil. And once the devil grabs you, it's the hardest battle you will ever, ever achieve. If you are an addict, and playing with this devil, fight! FIGHT HARD. And I'm praying that you win! (Sorry for long post - totally devastated)

[LifeTraveler]

I am SO sorry to hear this news and to know what your family is going through. You're right. Addiction is baffling and powerful. It is a demon that can and does destroy families. I will put your nephew on my prayer list. Hang strong.

[fbopnomore]

How terrible, I'm sorry for your loss.

[Sarianna]

I am so sorry for your loss

[maytayah]

I am so sorry you are all having deal with addiction. Wishing you all strength and peace.

[miamac]

I'm so terribly sorry for your loss and his struggle. I pray your family is wrapped in God's hands and that your pain can one day be transformed.

[sidewalker]

Oh how heartbreaking. I am so sorry. Your family is in my thoughts.

[smiles844]

I am so sorry for you and your family..addiction is so powerful and destructive : ( Prayers for all struggling with this and those standing with those struggling through this!

[Firebrand]

I know that it's hard for you right now and my heart goes out to you. Try not to dwell on it too much. It won't change anything. We're here for you. Always remember YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

[Lordbew/us]

My heart sinks every time I read of another death from overdose! Fentanyl is another story in its self! Pure fentanyl equals MURDER!!!
My prayers are with you and the family.
Losing a son or daughter is like no other loss. If and when this mother or step father is interested please have them seek support from other grieving parents. I belong to the group by The Compassionate Friends. TCF-Loss to Substance Related Cause on FB. It helps to be in contact with other parents who are walking this walk and truly understand the grief we live with. Many of the parents on this forum live in PA and the surrounding States that have been hit extremely hard by the fentanyl crisis.
Again, my thoughts and prayers are with you all!

[Michelin]

Very sorry for your loss

[dostami]

I am So sorry for your loss. This is such a tragic story but one that needs to get told. I am working with a young lady who also has an opioide addiction. Her brother was doing fine and then suddenly came up missing. He was found dead in his apartment by is dad and it has had a lasting effect on his sister, the one I am working with. It only takes one time. So I feel the pain from this.
All my best to you and yours!

[Francis213]

I am so very sorry for your loss. The other day my middle son and I were talking, see I was heroin addict for many many years and my son began to do it along with many other drugs, when he told me what he had been doing he was proud of it. He didn't grow up around me but as he got older he knew because his older siblings told him. But, earlier this year his step-mom/tia long story overdosed and yes fentanyl was involved they found her in a motel room. He called me and told me. I felt bad cause we made amends her and I a few years back. Anyways, we both were saying how grateful that we got out of it. When I first got clean, I worried so much about him overdosing. He made it out of that crazy life. It is so sad, it was bad back in the 70's,80's and 90's but nothing like now. It's very heartbreaking for the families. My prayers go out to you all.

[Dawnbart]

Thank you everyone. The tox reports came back. Strictly fentanyl laced with cocaine. And the family found out who the seller was. She actually came to his memorial. The police aren't doing anything about the investigation.