In this heartfelt episode of The Surviving Siblings Podcast, host Maya Roffler welcomes Jessica Meyer, a bereaved sibling who lost her younger sister, Jen, to fentanyl addiction in 2021. Jessica opens up about the deep bond they shared growing up in a tight-knit Mexican-Jewish family and how addiction slowly dismantled their lives.

Jen was so much more than her addiction—an empathetic, talented athlete and the life of every room she entered. Jessica walks us through Jen’s undiagnosed Tourette’s and ADHD, how she began self-medicating with Ambien as a teenager, and how this evolved into decades of addiction, multiple rehabs, and painful relapses. Jen later found purpose helping others through recovery—but her battle with addiction continued in secret.

Jessica shares the heartbreaking story of Jen’s final days, her passing just 48 hours after her daughter left for college, and the raw aftermath of losing her lifelong best friend. She also reveals the shocking discovery of a drug trafficking ring tied to Jen’s death, her fight for justice, and the family’s grief journey that followed.

This powerful episode is an unflinching look at sibling loss through addiction and the devastating reality of fentanyl-related deaths. Jessica’s vulnerability, courage, and passion to honor Jen’s legacy through her jewelry brand, Bullet Girl, is a tribute to both pain and purpose.

In This Episode:

(00:01:00) – Jessica & Jen's Bond Jessica shares their close-knit childhood, imaginative games, and growing up inseparable in a loving family.

(00:03:00) – Early Signs: Tourette's, ADHD & Ambien Use Jen’s tics and impulsivity went undiagnosed for years. Ambien use in her teens became the beginning of her addiction journey.

(00:08:00) – The Beginnings of Addiction Jessica reflects on Jen’s coping mechanisms, her early experimentation, and how recreational use escalated.

(00:12:00) – College, Trauma, and First Rehab Jen’s assault trauma, college struggles, and introduction to harder drugs like crystal meth and cocaine are revealed.

(00:19:00) – Marriage, Motherhood, and Addiction’s Grip Despite marrying and becoming a mom, Jen’s addiction deepened—leading to lost custody and deteriorating health.

(00:24:00) – Boundaries, Guilt, and Tough Love Jessica painfully discusses the limits she had to set and the guilt of choosing distance the week before Jen passed.

(00:28:00) – Jen’s Role Helping Others in Recovery Jen found strength in working at a rehab center—offering guidance to others, even as she privately relapsed.

(00:33:00) – The Day Jen Passed Jessica walks us through the traumatic discovery of Jen’s body, the heartbreaking final hug, and the unanswered questions.

(00:41:00) – Toxicology, Fentanyl, and Black Tar Heroin Jessica shares her detective work uncovering her sister’s fentanyl use, her dealer’s identity, and how evidence led nowhere.

(00:49:00) – Justice Denied: The Aftermath Despite a paper trail and drug dealer identification, no legal justice has been served for Jen’s death—fueling the family’s heartbreak.

(00:56:00) – Shame, Stigma, and Speaking Out Jessica talks about the stigma of fentanyl deaths, public silence, and the pain of people not seeing Jen beyond her addiction.

(01:01:00) – Bullet Girl Jewelry & The Beautiful Struggle Jessica shares the story behind her jewelry line, the letter Jen wrote her, and the upcoming tribute collection called The Beautiful Struggle.

(01:07:00) – Advice for Grieving Siblings Jessica urges listeners to give themselves grace, avoid shame, and stay grounded in love—not fear—through the grief journey

This episode is sponsored by Bullet Girl Jewelry 

Connect with Jessica: 

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bulletgirljewelry/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bulletgirl111/

Connect with Maya:

• Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivingsiblingspodcast/

• Maya's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaroffler/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survivingsiblingspodcast

• Twitter: https://x.com/survivingsibpod

• Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com

• Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast

• YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast