RHOC star Lauri Peterson’s son Josh Waring likely died of overdose, cops reveal after his unexpected death at age 35
As Lauri Peterson mourns the death of her son Joshua-Michael Phillip Waring, the details of his death are becoming increasingly clear.
After the Real Housewives of Orange County alum, 63, announced that Waring died on Easter Sunday at the age of 35, police said TMZ that they treat the death as a possible overdose.
While nothing can be confirmed until a toxicology report is completed, police do not suspect foul play.
The outlet noted that police found drug paraphernalia and residue in the motel room where his body was discovered.
Officers responded to the Orange County motel around 11:30 a.m. after Waring missed his checkout.
After Lauri Peterson announced that her son Josh Waring died on Easter Sunday at the age of 35, police told TMZ they are treating the death as a possible overdose
The outlet noted that police found drug paraphernalia and residue in the motel room where his body was discovered
TMZ also reported that Waring did not inform anyone of his departure before checking into the motel.
After facing a series of legal issues and struggles with addiction in recent years, Peterson announced her son’s death in a statement on Instagram on Saturday.
“It is with a broken heart that I write this message to let you know that my sweet Josh left this earth on Easter Sunday,” she wrote.
“No one can ever prepare you for this feeling of such deep loss. Every fiber in my body hurts.
“Josh has been fighting for his life every day for most of his adult life, but last Sunday the challenge was too great,” Peterson added in part.
The former model then thanked “those who have supported me throughout this journey and offered kind words of encouragement by sharing their stories of living with a substance use disorder.”
She also expressed her appreciation for the “many parents who have shared with me their stories over the years about the children they have sadly lost to this disease.”
Peterson’s daughter Ashley Zarlin also paid tribute to her brother on Instagram as she opened up about his addiction.
“On Easter Sunday I lost my brother to the brutal grip of addiction,” she wrote. ‘It is a disease that distorts and destroys, leaving behind shattered dreams and broken hearts.’
Sharing old photos with her brother, Zarlin continued, “He was brilliant and had limitless potential, but addiction threw him off course.”
After facing a series of legal issues and struggles with addiction in recent years, Peterson announced her son’s death in a statement on Instagram on Saturday.
Peterson’s daughter Ashley Zarlin also paid tribute to her brother on Instagram as she opened up about his addiction
Waring is survived by his daughter Kennady, as well as his parents and sisters, Ashley and Sophie
She added, “My mother’s unwavering love and tireless efforts to support him will forever be etched in my heart. She fought alongside him and never wavered in her belief that he could conquer this demon.
‘I wish for a different outcome with every fiber of my being. I wish I could have done more, been more, to help him find his way back to the light,” Zarlin added. “As I mourn his loss, I cherish the memories of who he really was before addiction took him away. My little brother.’
Waring’s death comes after he was arrested for assault in late February when he allegedly punched a hospital security guard in the chest, following a four-year prison sentence for a 2016 shooting and multiple other arrests for drug and firearm possession .
Waring is survived by his daughter Kennady, as well as his parents and sisters, Ashley and Sophie.