Lauri Peterson’s daughter Ashley Zarlin is speaking out following the sudden death of her brother, Peterson’s son Joshua-Michael Phillip Waring.
Earlier this week, the former Real Housewives of Orange County star, 63, revealed that Joshua died unexpectedly, at the age of 35, last weekend.
On Sunday, Zarlin took to Instagram with a heartfelt post paying tribute to his late brother.
He began the caption: “On Easter Sunday, I lost my brother to the relentless clutches of addiction.” It is a disease that distorts and destroys, leaving behind shattered dreams and broken hearts.’
Sharing a carousel of images of her and her brother from their childhood, she added: “He was brilliant and had unlimited potential, but addiction threw him off course.”
Lauri Peterson’s daughter Ashley Zarlin is speaking out following the sudden death of her brother, Peterson’s son Joshua-Michael Phillip Waring.
Earlier this week, the former Real Housewives of Orange County star, 63, revealed that Joshua died unexpectedly, at the age of 35, last weekend; Peterson photographed in 2016
The heartbroken older sister added: “My heart aches for the lost opportunities to grow together as adults, to share laughter and dreams, the conversations we will never be able to have and the dreams that will remain unfulfilled.”
“My thoughts linger on the what ifs, the alternative paths I might have taken if the system had offered more than empty promises and closed doors.”
He then turned his thoughts to mom Lauri and said: ‘My mom’s unwavering love and tireless efforts to support him will forever be etched in my heart. She fought alongside him, never wavering in her belief that he could defeat this demon.
Ashley went on to say: ‘I want a different outcome with every fiber of my being. I wish I could have done more, been more, to help him find his way back to the light. As I grieve the loss of him, I cherish the memories of who he really was, before addiction took him away. My little brother.’
He then turned his attention to others suffering from the effects of addiction and the “limited” healthcare system.
‘I am sorry not only for the loss of my brother, but also for many others who have been failed by a system that should have been their lifeline.
‘Their stories, like yours, are a reminder of the urgent need for change, for reform, for a health system that prioritizes compassion and support above all else. Our healthcare system is riddled with deficiencies and limitations, and it failed us time and time again.
“I pray for a world where compassion and effective support systems replace judgment and neglect, so that others can find the help they desperately need,” she wrote online.
Ashley began her caption on social media: ‘On Easter Sunday, I lost my brother to the relentless clutches of addiction. It is a disease that distorts and destroys, leaving behind shattered dreams and broken hearts.
Sharing a carousel of images of her and her brother from their childhood, she added: “He was brilliant and had unlimited potential, but addiction threw him off course.”
The heartbroken older sister added: “My heart aches for the lost opportunities to grow together as adults, to share laughter and dreams, the conversations we will never be able to have and the dreams that will remain unfulfilled.”
And finally, Zarlin said, ‘Josh, I hope you’ve finally found the peace you’ve been looking for. You no longer feel pain, you can rest. I love you xo Smash.’
The old family photos were all in black and white, as Ashley shared with her nearly 90,000 followers.
Lauri announced the tragic news on Instagram a day earlier, along with numerous family photos over the years, including them together, with her siblings and daughter Kennady.
“It is with a broken heart that I write this post to let you know that my sweet Josh left this earth on Easter Sunday,” she wrote. “No one can ever prepare you for this profound feeling of loss.”
After his death, the former model said that “every fiber of his body hurts.”
“Josh fought every day for most of his adult life, for his life, but last Sunday, the challenge was too great,” Peterson told his more than 111,000 Instagram followers.
The television personality continued, “Josh’s childhood was filled with deep intellect, humor, pranks, athletics, snowboarding, bodyboarding, mountain hiking, reading, friends and his love of music.”
Despite saying he struggled with adult difficulties, Peterson said his son always maintained his sense of humor, optimism and “continued to be kind to others.”
A childhood photo showed the brothers riding horses together.
Another photo showed the sister and brother sitting on the sand while looking out at the ocean.
Ashley shared photos with her brother when she was a newborn. Her loving older sister smiled as she welcomed her little brother.
Another image showed the brothers with paint on their faces.
After the death of her son, Lauri said that “every fiber of her body hurts”
She also described Josh as someone who “stood up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves and continued to love his family so much.”
“He received the greatest joy, pride and purpose through his daughter Kennady and watching her grow and prosper over the years,” he added. ‘Thank you to everyone who has tried to help Josh along the way. I am a witness of many Angels on earth.’
She alluded to her struggle with substance abuse and thanked other parents who shared their stories with her.
‘Josh, I love you so much and I will miss you so much!’ she concluded. ‘My heart goes out to you and I pray that you have found the peace you so deserve. Heaven has gained the coolest angel and you have finally gained your freedom, sweet boy.
His death comes almost four months after his 35th birthday on December 20.
Waring has been in trouble with the law before and was also recently arrested on suspicion of punching a security guard in the chest at Chapman Global Medical Center in California, according to the Orange County Register.