Everleigh Labrant, the 10-year-old YouTube sensation, has been mourning the loss of her father, Tommy Smith, who died unexpectedly in September 2022. The cause of his death was not revealed until recently, when the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner confirmed that Smith died of an accidental overdose due to acute fentanyl intoxication.
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Who was Tommy Smith?
Tommy Smith was born on March 5, 1993, in Orange County, California. He was a father, son, brother, grandson, family and friend to all. He had a love of living life to the absolute fullest and a free spirit that will be missed immensely.
Smith was the biological father of Everleigh Labrant, who is one of the stars of the popular YouTube channel The LaBrant Fam. Everleigh’s mother, Savannah LaBrant, married Cole LaBrant in 2017 and they have three more children together. Smith and Savannah had Everleigh when they were both 19 years old and co-parented her amicably.
Smith was also in a long-term relationship with Courtney Santaella, an Orange County hairstylist, since early 2018. Santaella announced Smith’s passing on Instagram on September 9, 2022, saying that her heart was broken into a million pieces and that she wished it was a horrible nightmare.
What is fentanyl and why is it dangerous?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed for severe pain, such as cancer pain or after surgery, but it is also illegally made and sold on the streets. Fentanyl can be mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, without the user’s knowledge. This increases the risk of overdose and death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is the most common drug involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States. In 2020, more than 60% of the 93,000 drug overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl.
Fentanyl can cause respiratory depression, which means that it slows down or stops breathing. This can lead to brain damage or death. Fentanyl can also cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, constipation and addiction.
How did Everleigh and her family cope with the loss?
Everleigh Labrant and her family have been trying to cope with the loss of Tommy Smith in different ways. Everleigh has been posting TikTok videos with her dad’s photos and memories, saying that she misses him every day and that he will always be in her heart. She also said that she is thankful to have two dads: one who made her and one who raised her.
Savannah LaBrant shared a photo of Smith and Everleigh on Instagram on September 14, 2022, saying that their hearts were incredibly heavy as they processed the loss of Everleigh’s dad. She said that he loved Everleigh immensely and asked for prayers for her daughter. She also posted a video on YouTube on September 19, 2022, where she talked about how Everleigh was doing and how they were supporting her through this difficult time.
Cole LaBrant also expressed his condolences for Smith’s passing on Instagram on September 14, 2022. He said that he was grateful for the relationship he had with him and that he was proud of him for being a good dad to Everleigh. He said that he would always love him as a brother and a friend.
Smith’s family held a memorial service for him at a church in Saddleback, California. They asked that instead of sending flowers, supporters donate to CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital. They also invited people to plant a memorial tree in his memory.
