Isabella “Izzy” Orr

Charleston County, SC

8/9/1993 ~ 7/27/2017

Forever 23

Fentanyl Poisoning

Two individuals are charged Federally with Death by Distribution, 20 years, no parole.

This My Story

I was given a Roxy, slang for OxyContin. It was not of pharmaceutical grade, it was a counterfeit pill laced with illicit fentanyl.

On July 23rd, 2017, I died in my bedroom. I was unresponsive. My cats laid beside me.
My Mom found me and she gave me life again, but I never woke up.

I was transported to the ICCU at MUSC. I was 16 weeks pregnant. I did not know. My baby died while I was unresponsive. I was in the hospital for a week. I was declared brain dead on July 27th, 2017.

How can that be? I am gifted and talented. I have my Associates Degree. I am pursuing a career in the medical field. This can’t be right, it must be a mistake. It must be a dream. Please someone wake me up! Can you hear me?

My Mom let out a scream that I’ve never heard before. It was hauntingly chilling and it lingered in the room. She is crying uncontrollably. My sister is crying. Everyone is crying. Please wake me up! This can’t be happening! I have so much to live for, my family, my life, please God, please somebody wake me up!

On July 29th, 2017, I was removed from the ventilator. I was an organ donor. My funeral was August 7th, 2017, two days before my 24th Birthday on August 9th.

My funeral was at Stella Maris Catholic Church. I had received my First Communion, my Confirmation, and I was also chosen in the May Parade to carry the statue of Mother Mary at this beautiful Church by the sea. Father McInnerny had been there for all these events, now he has to give my funeral. He cried.

I am number 50 and my unborn baby is number 51 for illicit drug deaths in South Carolina for the year 2017.

My young life and my unborn child, two lives, full of promise and a bright future are now forever gone. My family is shattered, and the burden of grief for them is so hard to handle on any day. The triggers my Mom calls it, can happen anytime, anywhere.

Momma, I wish I could take your pain away.  I wish I was still here. Momma, I didn’t want to die.

I’m so, so sorry Momma, I love you,

Isabella