'It's too high:' Goldsboro mayor addresses 7 deaths in 10 days
Jodeci Rivers is raising six kids in the city of Goldsboro. When he heard that the Goldsboro Police Department was investigating seven deaths in just 10 days, his mind went to them.
"All I do is think about them all the time," Rivers said. "I don't want them to go through this."
WRAL News reported two people were found dead with gunshot wounds on Saturday.
The week before, authorities have found four people dead in a four-day span. Authorities discovered individual bodies on April 12, April 13, April 14, and April 15.
There has since been a fifth death on Friday.
A preliminary investigation reveals the deaths could be connected to drug use and raising concerns about drugs laced with fentanyl.
Goldsboro Mayor Charles Gaylor is also a dad. He said he has spoken with several families who have lost a loved one.
"I want to reiterate that these are real people with real lives and real families, mothers, fathers, sometimes with kids. It's tough. I am a father," he said.
Gaylor says the city is doing everything possible to uncover what happened and find solutions.
"If you have someone in your life who is suffering from substance abuse disorder, get involved," Gaylor said. "Try to help them seek a better path."
Wayne County is set to receive more than $11 million to address the opioid crisis over the next 18 years.
The county is accepting applications through May 10 from programs to distribute those funds.
WRAL News asked the mayor if he believes there are enough options to battle substance abuse in the city.
"Do we have options? We do have options, but we need more options," he said.
Gaylor said he believes speaking up about the deaths is essential.
"Because drawing attention to this, as difficult as it is, maybe it helps someone else," he said.
Police are continuing to investigate the five unexplained deaths.
