Today, I’m honored to share a deeply personal and heartbreaking story from Tim Sherman. In this raw and emotional story, Tim recounts the devastating events of Christmas Eve 2017, when he received the call no parent ever wants to get. His daughter, Karisten, who had fought so hard to overcome heroin addiction, tragically lost her life to an overdose. Tim shares his experience in hopes that it might reach someone who needs to hear it — to understand the real cost of addiction and the importance of never letting your guard down. Please read with an open heart.
Tim Sherman’s Story
It’s been a very emotional and long two days. I didn’t want to ruin anybody else’s Christmas, so I waited until after the holiday to share this.
On Christmas Eve, at 5:50 p.m., I got a text from Eastlake Police asking me to call dispatch. I figured it was something simple — maybe a family in need of some toys under the tree. I called dispatch and asked for the detective who had texted me, but they told me he was on a call and would call me back. I explained that I wasn’t local but could meet him on my way home at the toy warehouse. The dispatcher, soft-spoken but firm, said, “The detective will call you back, Mr. Sherman.”
Now my mind started wandering: “What did I do in Eastlake recently?” Of course, I hadn’t done anything — but that’s where your mind goes.
The detective finally called back and said he had tried to come to my house, but I wasn’t home. Now I was really wondering what was going on. He asked if I was somewhere I could talk privately, and my stomach dropped. I told him to go ahead — and that’s when he told me: my daughter had been found dead from an overdose.
I immediately collapsed to my knees in the snow, crying like a baby. My son Timmy heard me and got his mom and brother; they knew we had to leave the in-laws’ Christmas gathering immediately.
See, my daughter was clean for just over a year from using heroin. She kicked the dragon square in the balls, and I didn’t think she was ever gonna look back for it. I took her to her first Narcan meeting, her first AA meeting, and went with her to her first NA meeting. I even hit a few meetings with her here and there as she progressed through her sobriety.
Recently, we spoke about those meetings and all the hocus-pocus that goes on in them. I told her, “to each their own” — that those meetings help some people, and for others, maybe not. I dug deeper, and we talked more about how they helped her. She said she met some really good people there who could relate to her better than I could, since they had lived it. She decided she was going to keep going.
She even looked at me and promised, “Daddy, I don’t want to go back to that stuff ever again.”
I reminded her of what I told her at the Narcan meeting: “If you can’t kick the dragon for good, I will be the one to zip you up, but I will be with you every step of the way when you need me.”
I don’t know why she didn’t call me like she promised. It hurts so bad that she didn’t call.
Now, before you get all pissy with me for saying that I would zip her up, you have got to understand my daughter’s and my relationship. It’s a loving relationship that shines. I would ALWAYS be there to bail her out of whatever she got herself into. But here I was — a father desperate for his daughter NEVER TO USE AGAIN — and I didn’t know how else to put it. I thought the love she had for me would keep her from going back to that drug ever again.
Well, that didn’t happen.
At 5:50 p.m., I got the call from the detective at Eastlake Police that my daughter was found dead in her bed from an overdose. I immediately fell to my knees in the snow and began to cry like a baby. I could not believe that my Tigger had done this.
I told the detective that I was on my way and got there in record time.
When I went up to see her (and I warn you — if you have a weak stomach, STOP READING HERE, because it’s going to be very descriptive and unpleasant if you picture it), just know: I love her, and I kept my word to her.
But on the other hand, I need everyone to understand just how very bad this shit is — so you NEVER have to experience what we are going through right now.
I walked up the stairs to her room. There was Karisten, sitting in her bed. She had hit such a lethal dose that, when she went into hemorrhaging arrest, she sat up from the pillows she was propped against in her bed. Her arms were straight out, with a slight bend at the elbows, fists clenched tightly, thumbs tucked under her fingers — like she was trying to grab life back into her.
She was blue-faced, veins standing out. There was a little blood from her nose, and her teeth were clenched so tightly that her mouth wouldn’t open. Her toes were curled. She sat there dead until they found her when everybody got to the house.
I was told I couldn’t touch my daughter in case there was any lethal powder still on her. I asked for gloves and gloved up — because I’ll be damned if I’m not going to help my daughter one last time, or hug her and let her know I love her.
My daughter didn’t want to die. She told me that many times. But now, I’m starting to wonder — did she? Or was this just a huge mistake, chasing the dragon’s tail again? Maybe she took a bad dose. Maybe she went back to what she used to do, but her body couldn’t handle it anymore.
The dragon won.
You’ve been successful in breaking me right now.
You tried to break me years ago, but I got my daughter away from you.
And to you — out West — if I EVER see you or your offspring, we will have a one-way conversation. You’ll be escorted away. And I know you’ll troll me to see this, now that I’ve made it public.
Well, I kept my word.
I spread the body bag out and carefully placed her in it to say goodbye.
I zipped her up in her body bag and helped them carefully place her on the cot.
Rest easy, Karisten Lyn Sherman.
I love you, my sweet Tigger.
See you in the morning with a happy face. ❤️
Please, I BEG YOU… if you know someone close to you on Heroin or recovering from Heroin, take it from me, do not, I repeat DO NOT let someone tell you how to handle a situation, especially if it is your own child and do what your gut tells you 100% of the time. I’ve let my guard down by being a little chill lately, but this is gonna change me and I’m gonna follow my gut like I always did in he past and nothing will stand in my way. I promise that…
Final Thoughts
Reading Tim’s story broke my heart in ways I can’t fully express. His love for his daughter shines through every word, every memory, and every tear. Addiction doesn’t just steal lives — it shatters families, futures, and dreams. Tim’s courage in sharing such a personal, painful story is an act of love — for his daughter, and for everyone out there fighting their own battles or supporting someone who is.
This story hit especially close to home for me. My sister passed away on April 20, 2020, just two days before her birthday on April 22. I found Tim’s story on what would have been Jennifer’s birthday. Like Tim’s daughter, my sister struggled for years with heroin and needle drug use. In the end, it was cardiogenic shock caused by endocarditis that took her from us — a silent, devastating ripple from the years of addiction she fought so hard against.
Please, if you or someone you love is struggling, don’t wait. Reach out. Listen to your gut. Never stop fighting for them. Tim’s story — and my sister’s — are tragic reminders that even the fiercest love can’t always protect someone from addiction. But maybe, just maybe, by sharing these stories, we can help someone else find the strength to survive.
If you or anyone needs help with addiction please reach out and call:
Immediate Help (Hotlines)
-
SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
📞 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (Free, confidential, 24/7)
🌐 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
They can connect you to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community organizations. -
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (includes help for addiction crises)
📞 Call or text 988 (24/7 mental health and substance use crisis support)
🌐 https://988lifeline.org/ -
Partnership to End Addiction – Text Support Line
📱 Text “CONNECT” to 55753
🌐 https://drugfree.org/
They offer help for families, especially if you are worried about a loved one’s use.
Addiction Support & Recovery Organizations
-
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
🌐 https://www.na.org/
Find meetings online or near you. -
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
🌐 https://www.aa.org/
They also help people struggling with drug use in addition to alcohol. -
SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training)
🌐 https://www.smartrecovery.org/
Science-based support group alternative to NA/AA, focusing on empowerment. -
Shatterproof (Addiction Awareness and Advocacy)
🌐 https://www.shatterproof.org/
They focus on reducing stigma, education, and policy change. -
Faces & Voices of Recovery
🌐 https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/
A national recovery advocacy organization.
Grief Support for Loss Due to Addiction
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GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing)
🌐 https://grasphelp.org/
Support groups for people who have lost a loved one to addiction. -
The Compassionate Friends
🌐 https://www.compassionatefriends.org/
Support for bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents.
Read about this story in the news USA Today