Emily Tingen Obituary, Death – I received a phone call last night that I prayed I would never receive. Emily Tingen, Karen’s daughter, died as a result of a Fentanyl overdose. She’d been dealing with opiate addiction for about 10 years, and it had destroyed everything in her life: her husband, her career, and her freedom, as she’d spent the most of the previous year in jail. She was battling hard to get back on track, but it was clear she couldn’t win.
Raymond Mathis, her fiancé, had died in the same manner months before. She leaves behind a ten-year-old kid who has been living with Karen and me full-time for over a year, as well as her brother Jeff, who regrettably discovered her dead at the home they shared. To say this has been terrible for us, particularly her son, Jeff, and Karen, is an understatement.
Unfortunately, I’ve been mentally preparing for this for years, thanks to innumerable prior overdoses and near-fatal vehicle accidents. As the head of the family, I must remain strong for everyone, and this is the most difficult challenge yet. Karen and I tried everything to help her, but an addict will only enter true recovery if they are willing. Emily, I hope you’re happy and at peace now that you’ve been reunited with Raymond.
Your mother and I will raise your son with all the love and support you expected; thank you for having the foresight and humility to give us that opportunity when you could no longer care for him. Em, please rest in peace. Emily was not religious, but she enjoyed music. A memorial concert will be held in the near future to honor her life and hopefully raise funds to cover her final expenses and assist her son. Once we’ve decided on a date and location, I’ll let you know.
Emily would urge that I continue to perform with my band tonight, so I’ll see some of you tonight.
