USA First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff

Dear First Lady Teresa Parson,
I am an Ambassador for the Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall campaign. I lost my beautiful,
funny, and kind son, Kyle Eugene Wetzel, who is forever 25. He was poisoned by a lethal
dose of fentanyl on October 5, 2022. He was found that day by his 16-year-old sister. I
tried to administer Narcan while his 21-year-old sister did CPR and his stepdad called
911. We are severely devastated by the loss of Kyle. Kyle is the father of three young
boys, whose ages now are seven, five, and two. These boys will grow up with little or no
true memory of their father with pictures being the only memory.
Kyle always brought laughter to the room. He was easy-going and rarely got upset. He
was a hands-on dad that liked to make sandcastles, paint easter eggs, and play blocks
with his kids. He loved learning and researching things. He liked computers and knew a
lot about them. He built one for his little sister. He loved to draw, liked Anime, and loved
good adventures, walking trails, and climbing.
Kyle had struggled with addiction early on in life but found a way to break free until it hit
again in 2020. He was quickly introduced to much stronger drugs this time, drugs with
fentanyl mixed in, which quickly caused him pain. Kyle spent those last two years in rehab
trying to break free from his harsh addiction. He cried to me that he just couldn't beat this
drug, fentanyl. Fentanyl is a killer. Kyle was a victim.
I know you have children and grandchildren, and you must be able to imagine how
devastating it is to me, as a mother and grandmother. Would you assist us in finding a
permanent location for a Drug Epidemic Memorial Wall within our State Capitol complex?
We have created two Memorial Walls, one with photos and one with names.
There’s a group of Missouri moms that would love to meet with you and work together to
prevent other losses from happening again. I, for one, would love to be able to take my
three grandsons to a place where they can view a photo of their father with all other
fathers, sons, and husbands, and explain to them what it is and that they are not alone.
Many others are right there with their daddy. Angels all together here in Missouri.
Sincerely,
April Roberts – Kyle’s mom; forever 25
Moberly, Missouri
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