'He always came in with a smile': Friends remember NC State student who died from accidental overdose
A student at North Carolina State University died Monday after an accidental overdose, according to a university spokesman.
Timothy Parker's roommates said he accidentally overdosed on fentanyl early Friday morning. They said Parker was a junior from Wilmington who was in the engineering school.
The incident report from Raleigh police shows officers arrived just after 1:45 a.m. Friday at an off-campus house for an overdose call. Parker was taken to the hospital for an accidental overdose, the spokesman said.
It marks the 10th NC State student death since the start of the 2022-23 school year.
The university spokesman said Parker was living off campus.
Parker's friends describe him as smart and positive. Savana Blackwood said there was a 100% chance of laughter when he was around.
"I met Timmy in the dining hall," Blackwood said. "He came up to a group of me and my friends and was like, 'Hey, can I sit with you guys?' And, that was literally it."
Parker's roommate Nicholas Guy said Parker was an all-around great person.
"He always came in with a smile," Guy said of Parker. "It never really seemed like anything ever fazed him."
Both Blackwood and Guy said they knew Parker since they all started at NC State their freshman year.
"It's kind of just a shock, the permanency of it," Guy said. "He's not going to be here anymore."
Blackwood echoed Guy's sentiments.
"It's definitely the most difficult thing I've ever been through," Blackwood said. "When you're with someone all the time, it's just really weird for them to not be there."
Parker's friend said while they're comforted by their memories of him, the knowledge that they won't be able to make new ones is difficult.
"Just keep your friends close, and just don't take anything for granted, I guess," Blackwood said.
A string of student deaths at NC State
On Feb. 22, deputies found Patrick Thomas Sullivan, 21, dead in his home in Raleigh.
On Feb. 11, N.C. State University Police found an undergraduate student dead Saturday inside Sullivan Hall.
On Feb. 8, a graduate student died at E.S. King Village, which has apartments for graduate students, postdocs, older undergrads and students with families.
A plea for change
Parents are calling for change Tuesday at the university in the wake of Parker's death.
They, along with their children, are hurting after the loss of Parker, For Julia Massarelli, a parent with two graduates from NC State and a child currently enrolled, the number of deaths this school year is concerning.
"This is not normal," Massarelli said.
Massarelli is speaking not just as a parent of two NC State graduates and a current student, but as a licensed clinical mental health counselor as well.
"I just wonder why aren’t we doing enough, or what we need to do more of," Massarelli said. "Because we're missing something."
Parents with children preparing to attend NC State in the fall reached out to WRAL News to voice their concerns. One parent said they worry the "pressure to compete and the potential social isolation," might get to her son.
Another parent is praying for a turnaround because it makes her "very anxious" to send her daughter to attend.
With just weeks remaining in the academic year, Massarelli said students need all the support they can get.
"Being aware of your neighbor," Massarelli said. "If everyone was in tune with the person next door and what's going on, we might be able to pay attention to things that seem off, and to reach out and ask for help."
If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline, which serves our nation’s veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members and those who support them. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.
WRAL Documentary: Crisis Next Door
North Carolina is in the grip of a drug overdose epidemic, with fentanyl being the primary culprit. The new WRAL Documentary focusing on fentanyl's impact, "Crisis Next Door," debuts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on WRAL.
