Tyler LeRoy William Hayes

Submitted by: Trisha Schultz
Born: 1985
Died: 2014
My Tribute: My Tribute: My beautiful 29 year son died of a heroin overdose on November 14, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. Tyler was my youngest son.

I had dinner with Tyler the night before he died. He told me that he was “opting out” (his words) of another rehab program. We had been waiting for 8 months for this facility to let him in. He was looking forward to rehab and at the last moment decided against it. I will never really know why he said he didn’t want to go to the facility or what happened those hours or days before his death. I wish I would have forced him to go.

Tyler loved music and people. His gift of love for every human being and his love of animals and children was incredible. He never judged anyone and taught me so much. He was fearless and taught me to not be so fearful. He is missed by his brother and I every day.

His 10 year struggle with this disease has been the most heartbreaking thing I have witnessed. It caused him to do things (sell drugs and steal from family) and say things (lie) that were not his nature. And although I know that his pain and struggle is now over and he is at peace, I miss him greatly.
I love and miss you Ty, more than there are words. Peace and love to you always my son.