Kathleen Kelley has spent the past year searching for answers about what led to the death of her 17-year-old son, Nico, who fell six stories from their Manhattan apartment building. Despite hiring a private investigator, the only major clue she has is that Nico inhaled marijuana from a friend’s vape pen moments before his fall. The medical examiner ruled his death an accident, but the uncertainty about what happened has tormented his family. The friend who gave him the vape pen has refused to talk to the police or investigators, and the police did not recover the pen.
Nico’s parents wonder if the marijuana he vaped was tainted or if there were other factors at play that led to his fall. They are concerned about the potency of marijuana, its accessibility, and its potentially harmful effects on teenagers. Despite the toxicology report showing high levels of THC in Nico’s system, experts say that the drug rarely leads to the reckless impulse that supposedly led Nico to the roof. The circumstances of Nico’s death, while rare, are not unique, as other incidents involving high THC levels have resulted in tragic outcomes.
On the day of his death, Nico was at home with two friends, one of whom gave him the vape pen. After inhaling from it, Nico began acting erratically, expressing feelings of panic and distress. He ran toward his room, and moments later, the roof alarm sounded, and he was found unconscious on the roof. Despite the toxicology report only finding traces of marijuana in his system, the police determined that there was no evidence of criminality and declined to press charges.
Nico’s family and friends remember him as a cautious and responsible young man, known for his academic dedication and love of reading. His sudden death shocked those who knew him, and his family remains haunted by unanswered questions about what happened on that fateful day. They have tried to find comfort in small mementos and memories of their time with Nico, cherishing the moments they shared with him. His mother wears a locket with a lock of his hair, and his father wears his quirky hat as a way to keep his memory close.
Despite their grief, Nico’s family hopes that his death will spark conversations about the risks of marijuana use among teenagers and the need for more awareness and caution. They have sought legal action against whoever sold the vape pen to Nico, believing that accountability should be placed on the adults involved in the tragic incident. As they continue to grapple with their loss, they remember Nico’s spirit and the impact he had on those around him, cherishing the time they had with him and the memories they shared as a family.
