Heavy/Getty DWTS alum Audrina Patridge’s niece died of an overdose.
New information has emerged about the death of a family member of a “Dancing with the Stars” alum. However, many questions still remain unanswered. Former DWTS contestant Audrina Patridge lost her niece in February. Now some additional information about the teen’s death is available.
Here’s what you need to know:
Audrina Patridge’s niece purchased Percocet laced with fentanyl
On February 14, the former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant shared the news of her niece’s death in an Instagram post. “It hurts my heart to even write this. My beautiful niece is now in heaven,” Patridge wrote in the caption of her post at the time.
Lute! News: Patridge’s niece Sadie Loza was 15 years old at the time of her death. Sadie was the daughter of Patridge’s sister, Casey Loza. A cause of death was not initially announced. The teenager died shortly after her 15th birthday.
On November 13, TMZ reported that Sadie’s death was due to a drug overdose. The investigation into the teen’s death continues as authorities try to figure out where Patridge’s niece got the drugs. An official manner of death has not yet been determined.
A source told TMZ that Sadie used the social media platform Snapchat to purchase Percocet. Unfortunately, Percocet was found to be laced with fentanyl. If authorities can figure out who sold Sadie the tainted pills, they could face charges.
Sadie’s death destroyed her family
When Sadie’s mother shared the news of her daughter’s death via Instagram in February, she admitted: “Writing this was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
She didn’t elaborate on what happened to Sadie. However, Patridge’s sister wrote: “Her story will save countless lives, her memory will never be forgotten.”
As the “Dancing with the Stars” alum mourned the devastating loss of her niece in her Instagram post, she referenced the teen’s nickname: “Say Say.” Patridge also wrote, “I know it’s not goodbye forever, but it’s the hardest way to say goodbye right now.”
Patridge has regularly shared photos on her Instagram page, which also include her extended family. She posted some of Sadie’s and it was clear that the two had a special connection.
An Instagram birthday tribute from Patridge to Sadie in 2016 featured a series of adorable photos. The “Dancing with the Stars” alum wrote, “Happy birthday to my hilarious, smart and beautiful little niece Sadie!!!! #8 I love this little one more than anything!”
Patridge has had a long series of appearances on reality television
Patridge was a contestant on Season 11 of “Dancing with the Stars.” She worked with Tony Dovolani during the season that aired in fall 2010, and as People noted, her exit was considered a shock.
Dovolani and Patridge made it to the sixth week of the competition. There was strong competition this season. Jennifer Gray and Derek Hough won this season and Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer took second place.
As Patridge notes on her IMDb page, she’s probably best known for her time on The Hills, which ran from 2006 to 2010. Additionally, the former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant had her own short-lived reality TV show, “Audrina,” which ran for 10 episodes in 2011.
From 2014 to 2016, Patridge hosted “1st Look” and also took part in the revival of her first reality TV series “The Hills: New Beginnings” in 2019.
Stacy Carey has been a freelance writer focusing on reality TV and celebrity news for more than a decade. She writes extensively for “The Bachelor,” “Hallmark,” and “Dancing With the Stars.” More about Stacy Carey