US podcast star Dr. Laura Berman
Her son died of an overdose at the age of 16
Dr. Laura Berman
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Dr. Laura Berman lost her son to an accidental overdose. He was only 16 years old. A drug dealer had previously contacted the boy online.
Losing your own child is arguably the worst that can happen to a parent. Just such a terrible loss now suffered US podcaster, presenter and author Dr. Laura Berman, 52. She mourns the loss of her 16-year-old son Sam, who died of an accidental overdose – now she wants to save other families from a similar fate.
The 52-year-old confirmed the death of her son on Instagram. In addition to a snapshot in which she and Sam beaming into the camera, she also found emotional words to express her grief.
Laura Berman: Your son was contacted by an online drug dealer
"My beautiful boy passed away. He was only 16 years old and in the protective four walls of his home when it happened," she wrote on the social media platform. The relationship therapist then explained how this tragic death came about: She reports that Sam was contacted by a drug dealer on Snapchat. The boy then ordered medication and eventually died of an overdose in his room. She believes a lethal mixture of fentanyl and Xanax caused his death, but that has yet to be confirmed by toxicology.
Your warning to all parents: "Please take special care of your children"
"My heart is broken and I am not sure how to continue breathing," said the grieving mother and added urgently: "I am only sharing the story so that no more children can die from it. We have watched Samuel so closely . He was a top student and ready to go to college. His experiment with drugs went wrong. He got the drugs delivered to his house. " That's why she made an important appeal to all parents: "Please pay special attention to your children and also watch Snapchat."
The social media platform also spoke up about this terrible incident and affirmed in a statement to "USA TODAY": "Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends of Samuel Berman Chapman. And his death breaks our hearts. Us are no higher priority than making Snapchat a safe place and we will continue to work to protect our community. " They are also always ready to cooperate with the police if the platform is misused for illegal purposes.
Sources used: usatoday.com, instagram.com