Josh Waring, son of former “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Lauri Peterson, has died at the age of 35.
Peterson shared the tragic news on Instagram Saturday alongside a series of photos of Waring at various ages and events throughout his life.
“It is with a shattered heart that I write this post to let you know that my sweet Josh left this earth Easter Sunday,” she wrote.
“No one can ever prepare you for this feeling of such deep loss. Every fiber in my body hurts,” Peterson added. “Josh fought every single day for most of his adult life, for his life, but this past Sunday, the challenge was too great.”
The reality TV star went on to reminisce about her son’s childhood, which was “filled with deep intellect, humor, pranks, athletics, snow boarding, body boarding mountain hikes, reading, friends and his love for music.”
She added that even as his struggles increased as an adult, Waring “continued to maintain his sense of humor, continued to be optimistic, continued to be kind to others, defended those that were unable to defend themselves and continued to love his family so so much!”
Peterson also expressed gratitude for everyone who “tried to help Josh along the way,” before alluding to some of his struggles with substance abuse and praying that her son has finally found peace.
Waring made headlines in recent years, having spent four years behind bars for attempted murder after shooting a man outside a sober living home in Costa Mesa, Calif. in 2016.
In 2022, Waring pleaded guilty after he was found in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was sentenced to two years in prison and was released last December.
He was arrested again in February for punching a hospital security guard, according to The Orange County Register. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating the previous terms of his release.
Waring is survived by his 11-year-old daughter, Kennady.
