Johnson County Died: July 12, 2021 A father’s warning: ‘You’re gonna wind up gone, just like Adam.’ At his son’s celebration of life, Dennis Black stood in front of dozens of Adam’s friends. People Adam, 49, had known for most of his adult life, people he had gotten high with. And as he grieved hisContinue reading “Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri- Adam Black, 49”
Tag Archives: #Missouri
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri- Michael Floersch, 28
MICHAEL FLOERSCH, 28 JOHNSON County DIED: APR. 25, 2022 ‘My son’s life mattered’ Michael Floersch was the youngest of six kids. At family gatherings, he was the funny one, cutting up and having fun. “From cheek to cheek, he just had a huge smile,” said his mother, Sandy Toothman. In sixth grade, Michael crashed hisContinue reading “Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri- Michael Floersch, 28”
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri – Ashton Harmon-Manser, 22
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri – Ashton Harmon-Manser, 22
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri – Carson Moppin, 16
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri – Carson Moppin, 16
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri – Brandon Elder, 38
Jackson County Died: Nov. 27, 2022 ‘Daddy’s not breathing’ Linda Elder was heading home from Walmart with her granddaughter shortly before noon the Sunday after Thanksgiving when her phone rang. “Daddy’s not breathing,” her 12-year-old grandson told his older sister, who answered the phone because Elder was driving. “I didn’t hear that part,” Elder said.Continue reading “Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri – Brandon Elder, 38”
Opioid Crisis Friday: True Stories from Missouri – James Michael Addams Jr, 29
Jackson County Died: December 19, 2021 ‘They were poisoned. This was a homicide’ James Addams Jr. couldn’t contain his excitement when he called his mom on Dec. 16, 2021. “He said, ‘Mom, I got it! I got it!” Katrina Smith recalls her son saying. “And I said, ‘You got what?’” James had taught himself toContinue reading “Opioid Crisis Friday: True Stories from Missouri – James Michael Addams Jr, 29”
Opioid Crisis Friday: True Stories from Missouri – Matthew Alan Smith, 37
Jackson County Died: Feb. 12, 2022 ‘If not your child, it’s going to be someone you know’ Matthew Smith started down the path to addiction in high school. At 17, while high on meth, he and two others broke into some cars. “And Matt got sentenced to eight years,” said his mother, Lori Smith. “TheyContinue reading “Opioid Crisis Friday: True Stories from Missouri – Matthew Alan Smith, 37”
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri – Zach Anderson, 17
Jackson County Died: January 29, 2023 He would do anything for anyone’ On Aug. 10, what would have been Zach Anderson’s 18th birthday, his mom and family held a “Forever 17” party. Friends and family decorated lanterns and released them into the sky. They talked about the teen who worked several shifts a week atContinue reading “Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories from Missouri – Zach Anderson, 17”
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories From Missouri-Samantha “Sami” Fisher, 23
Jackson County Died: June 9, 2021 She wanted to be a good mom When she died, Sami Fisher had one photo on her new cellphone — which she had taken that day — of three pills. “My three little Percs,” she had written. Sami, who had battled an opioid addiction for several years, bought theContinue reading “Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories From Missouri-Samantha “Sami” Fisher, 23”
Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories From Missouri – Jetaya Rose Lucero, 19
Douglas County Passed Away: June 7, 2023 ‘She wanted to help everybody, especially the underdogs’ Jetaya Lucero “had the most contagious smile,” her mother said. “She wanted to help everybody, especially the underdogs. She wanted to be a teacher for special needs kids.” But as vivacious as she appeared on the outside, Sharen Lucero said,Continue reading “Opioid Crisis Fridays: True Stories From Missouri – Jetaya Rose Lucero, 19”
Vintage Dava 