Imagine a trip brimming with celebration and laughter—Carol Wolfe’s son, Josh, embarked from Nebraska to Nashville, eager to witness the heartfelt “I dos” of two dear friends. Little did anyone know that this journey, meant for joy, would take an unexpected turn.
Post-wedding festivities, Josh and a friend, decided to extend their Nashville stay for just one more night—an ordinary decision that would soon become extraordinary. Just moments after capturing a picture, Josh and two others collapsed, resulting in the tragic death of Josh and another person.
Amidst the shock and grief, Carol learned that her son died from fentanyl—a revelation that brought forth more questions than answers. How did this happen? With no history of substance use disorder or drug abuse, how did fentanyl find its way into Josh’s life? These are questions that thousands of parents find themselves wrestling with as our nation battles its deadliest drug epidemic in history.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Carol talks about Josh’s story and the message that, she thinks, all Americans need to hear. Also, check out more Grieving Out Loud episodes, including the story of a mom who believes her daughter died from drinking a bottle of water that contained diluted fentanyl.
MEET THE GUEST
Carol Wolfe
Carol Wolfe, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, tragically lost her son Joshua to fentanyl poisoning on May 3rd, 2022. Since then, she’s channeled her grief into action, passionately advocating for awareness about the fentanyl epidemic. Carol takes her advocacy to schools and communities, delivering impactful presentations to educate others about the dangers of fentanyl and the urgent need for prevention.
