TL/DR –
Amanda Nickelson, a mother from Michigan, died after unknowingly taking fentanyl, leaving her family devastated and the alleged drug dealer facing potential life imprisonment. The incident highlights the ongoing opioid crisis in the country, where tens of thousands of people die each year from fentanyl. Recent reports have shown a drop in overdose deaths, but the opioid crisis driven largely by fentanyl continues to be a significant problem, with nearly 108,000 overdose deaths in the US last year.
Unwilling Victim of Fentanyl Opioid Crisis Remembered
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, countless lives are claimed by fentanyl each year. Many, like Amanda Nickelson, a 39-year-old mother, unknowingly ingest the lethal opioid. The aftermath leaves families shattered and alleged drug dealers facing life imprisonment. Fentanyl is now involved in most overdoses in Kent County.
In Memory of Amanda
Shanna Nickelson, Amanda’s sister, carries a piece of her sister everywhere. She wears a necklace containing Amanda’s ashes and the ring she wore at the time of her death, a constant reminder of the tragedy that left their family broken.
A Life Plagued by Drug Abuse
Amanda Nickelson struggled with drug abuse, like many others in West Michigan and across the nation. Despite battling depression and anxiety, Amanda cared for her sister and was a rock to her family.
“She wasn’t always like that,” Doris Nickelson, Amanda’s mother, recounts. Doris recalls her daughter’s contagious smile and her devotion as a mother. Amanda was also an organ and tissue donor.
The Lethal Purchase
In 2023, Amanda unknowingly purchased heroin laced with fentanyl from Edreek Tornes of Muskegon, as indicated in court records. She overdosed at her home in Grand Rapids, leaving her young daughter to discover her unconscious in the bathroom.
Charges Against the Dealer
Using Amanda’s phone, an undercover officer arranged a drug deal with Tornes. Upon his arrest, tests confirmed his heroin was also laced with fentanyl. Tornes now faces charges of delivering a controlled substance causing death, a felony punishable by life imprisonment. Drug overdose deaths hit a new record in 2022 according to the CDC.
Shanna’s Call for Justice
Shanna Nickelson insists on attending every court proceeding against the man charged in her sister’s death. She believes that her sister deserves justice.
The Devastating Impact of Fentanyl
The opioid crisis, driven by fentanyl, continues to claim lives nationwide. According to a study by the University of California Los Angeles, overdose deaths from fentanyl-laced stimulants have surged 50-fold since 2010. In 2021 alone, fentanyl-induced overdoses claimed over 34,000 lives.
A Call for More Prosecution
Doris Nickelson believes that true justice for Amanda will only be served when those responsible for producing the lethal drugs are prosecuted. “There’s too many people out there dying” due to fentanyl-laced drugs, she lamented.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, remember help is available. Contact the national substance abuse helpline at 1.800.662.HELP (4357).
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