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For some families during the holidays there is an empty seat at the table — a hole that can never be filled because of addiction.

In Carteret County, two mothers are living with that loss every day after losing their sons to fentanyl overdoses.

Chandler Stewart struggled with substance use since the end of high school, in and out of rehab as he tried to recover. But one relapse changed everything.

“He had not passed away at that point he was in the hospital and we were just praying that we didn’t have to make the decision to take him off of life support so he did go on his own several hours later and I knew it had to be fentanyl.” his mother Lynn Stewart says.

Chandler died on January 1, 2022. Nearly four years later, his mother still holds tightly to his memory — and encourages other families grieving similar losses to do the same.

“We need to love our children who have past by talking about them don’t isolate yourself don’t go in a room remember all the good times they had with their loved ones.”

Christmas was Chandler’s favorite holiday. A family photo taken that day became their last picture together. Now, each family member keeps that moment close, turning the image into ornaments that hang on the tree each year.

“When I look at the picture I just see everyone arguing and everything but that was the last picture that we have of chandler with the group,” says Stewart.

Just months later, another Carteret County family faced the same devastating reality.

On November 5, 2022, Tyler Dees lost his life to fentanyl after struggling with addiction for six years.

Annie Brown the mother of Tyler says, “It’s not just an empty chair at the table for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s every holiday, every birthday. It’s an empty space that will never be filled again.”

Tyler had just turned 26. While many families celebrate milestones and memories, his mother says grief follows her into every moment of life.

“I feel guilty sometimes for doing things because he’s not here to do them with me. I feel like I’m not supposed to smile or laugh or have fun during certain events because he’s not here anymore. It just hits me that we have to go the rest of our lives without him.”

But Tyler loved fishing — and his mother found a way to turn that passion into purpose. She created an annual event called Fishing With Addiction, raising more than $51,000 in his memory. The funds were donated to two local recovery homes, helping others on their journey toward healing.