“The Real Housewives of Orange County” alum Lauri Peterson’s son, Josh Waring, has died.
The television personality shared the tragic news with fans via an Instagram tribute she posted Saturday that included photos of Waring throughout his 35 years of life accompanied by a lengthy caption reflecting on her heartache and his time on Earth.
“It is with a shattered heart that I write this post to let you know that my sweet Waring left this earth Easter Sunday,” she began. “No one can ever prepare you for this feeling of such deep loss. Every fiber in my body hurts.”
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Reflecting on his early years, she continued, “Josh’s childhood was filled with deep intellect, humor, pranks, athletics, snow boarding, body boarding mountain hikes, reading, friends and his love for music.”
“Even during adult hardship,” she went on, “Josh continued to maintain his sense of humor, continued to be optimistic, continued to be kind to others, defended those that were unable to defend themselves and continued to love his family so so much!”
Peterson said her son “received the most joy, pride and purpose through his daughter Kennady.”
Peterson, 63, also thanked anyone who supported her and Waring through his struggles with substance abuse. “Not everyone understands those suffering from substance abuse disorder, but I am forever grateful for your understanding and the impact you made on his life,” she noted.
Directly speaking to her late son, she wrote, “Josh I love you so much and I will miss you terribly! I will forever be your ‘Mama Bear & Mama Dukes’ and every time the clock turns to 11:11, I will expect your call to tell me to make a wish!”
“What will I wish for now? My heart is with you and I pray you have found the peace that you so deserve,” she added as she wrapped up her post. “Heaven has gained the coolest angel and you have gained your freedom at last sweet boy.”
She did not reveal the cause of Waring’s death. Page Six has reached out to Peterson for comment.
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As the former Bravo star noted, Waring did not have an easy adult life. Between 2016 and 2020, he was locked up behind bars after being arrested for the attempted murder of a man outside a sober living home in California.
He was released after he pleaded to lesser charges once it was discovered that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department was eavesdropping on phone calls he had with his lawyers from jail. “We only hope the lessons of Josh’s case will help other inmates,” his lawyer, Joel Garson, told People at the time.
In 2022, TMZ reported that he was facing new charges after he was caught in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine and attempting to sell the fentanyl.
Waring is survived by his daughter, Kennady. Lauri, who was a main cast member on “RHOC” in its first four seasons before returning for guest and “friend” roles in future seasons, adopted Kennady several years ago to help Waring get back on his feet.
“As most of the viewers know, I have a son and he’s had just a lot of challenges,” the reality TV star told the Daily Dish in 2015.
“And he and his wife had a baby almost three years ago.”
“He’s really struggling and, well, they’re both really struggling.”
