Very sad news came this week from the world of reality television:
Laurie Peterson, a former cast member The Real Housewives of Orange CountyHe announced on Saturday that his son, Josh Waring, died on March 31.
He was 35 years old.
Laurie Peterson’s son Josh Waring dies at 35: His disturbing past
Pietersen shared the terrible news on her official Instagram page, writing: “It is with a heavy heart that I write this post to let you know that my beloved Josh left this world on Easter Sunday.”
It has now been confirmed that Waring’s cause of death was an accidental overdose of the drugs fentanyl, methamphetamine and olanzapine, an antipsychotic medication.
The sad news comes from an autopsy report from California’s Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Department, which was obtained by Page Six.
In his post, Peterson included several photos of Josh — from childhood pictures to a photo of him with his daughter Kennedy — and also wrote emotionally about his late son’s life and passing.
“No one can prepare you for the feeling of such profound loss,” he wrote, adding that “every single fiber of my body hurts.”
In recent years, Waring has made headlines for a number of legal troubles, pleading guilty to drug charges after he was found in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine in 2022. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
Waring spent four years in prison for attempted murder after he shot a man named Daniel Lopez outside a sober living home in 2016.
“Josh’s childhood was filled with profound intelligence, humor, pranks, athletics, snow boarding, body boarding mountaineering, reading, friends and a love of music,” Peterson wrote.
“Even through the hardships of adulthood, Josh maintained his sense of humor, remained optimistic, remained kind to others, defended those who were unable to defend themselves and continued to love his family dearly!”
Laurie Peterson on ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’
Peterson was a main cast member in the first four seasons The Real Housewives of Orange County — and then appeared occasionally until Season 8.
“I am a witness to many angels on earth. Not everyone understands people suffering from substance abuse disorder, but I will forever be grateful for your understanding and the impact you have on their lives,” the former star continued.
“I also thank those who have accompanied me on this journey and offered kind words of encouragement by sharing their own stories of living with a substance use disorder. Also, I thank the parents who have shared their stories with me over the years about their children who they tragically lost to this disease.”
Peterson at one point acknowledged his son’s “adulting difficulty”, said the “challenge” had become too great for him the day he died, and concluded with the following direct address:
Josh I love you so much and I will miss you so much! I will always be your “Mama Bear and Mama Dukes” and every time the clock strikes 11:11, I will expect you to tell me to make a wish! What will I wish for now?
My heart is with you and I pray that you find the peace you deserve.
Heaven has found the most wonderful angel and you are finally free sweet boy. Love always and forever.