In October 2018, a young Vermont mom named Madelyn Linsenmeir died after a long struggle with addiction. Her obituary went viral and was read by millions of people around the world. Madelyn’s sister, writer Kate O’Neill, shares her family’s experience loving and losing Maddie, the stories of other Vermonters impacted by this disease, and potential solutions to the crisis.

Statewide Underwriters

For more information

• Obituary: Madelyn Linsenmeir, 1988-2018, Seven Days
• Burlington police chief reacts to Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir obituary: ‘I have a problem’, Burlington Free Press

Video: Kate O’Neill: “All victims of opioid addiction are my sister”

Image of Madelyn Linsenmeir courtesy Kate O’Neil