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Family Speaks After Teen's Death

Konyha Died From Prescription Overdose, Police Say

POSTED: 12:03 am EDT May 13, 2008
UPDATED: 1:17 am EDT May 13, 2008

A local family is speaking out after a 15-year-old boy dies from an apparent accidental drug overdose more than a week ago.

Joey Konyha's family told NEWS9 on Monday they miss Konyha's kindness and caring heart.

"He had the biggest heart ever," said Mary Palmer-Boston, the victim's aunt. "He'd see his neighbor pull up with her groceries, and he'd come running down the steps, out the front door, across the street to help her with her groceries."

Konyha was found unresponsive the afternoon of May 4 at his Dillonvale home, and later pronounced dead.

"One day you go to sleep, he's there, he's your best friend, and you're hanging out, playing basketball the day before that," said Cory Barton, the victim's friend. "Then the next day, it's a tragedy. It's hard."

Family and friends found out the cause of death from the coroner's report on Monday, as Sheriff Fred Abdalla said the teen died of an accidental overdose of Oxycodone.

The family told NEWS9 they were shocked.

"He didn't, he didn't have a drug problem," said Palmer-Boston. "He was a normal teenage boy."

Police are now investigating just what happened.

They said alcohol and juveniles were at the home the night before the teen died.

"We want to find out all the facts, leading up to how this possibly could've happened," said Smithfield Police Chief Bob Mieczkowski.

Family and friends told NEWS9 they just wanted to make sure people know the real Joey.

"Joey didn't want to die," said Palmer-Boston. "He wanted to be here with his family and friends. He was so loved. He has so many friends."

For more local news, click here


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