One day after her husband Jimmy Hayes’cause of deathwas made public, Kristen Hayes is speaking out about how she will remember the former NHL player.
On Sunday, PEOPLE confirmed that Jimmy died of acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, and his manner of death was determined to be accidental. Days prior, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s officeconfirmed to PEOPLEthat no foul play was involved in Jimmy’s death.
“Although we are shocked and heartbroken beyond words, I choose to remember my husband, and the boys' father, through the enormous love and joy that he brought us and so many others,” Kristen, who shared two sons with her late husband, said in a statement on Monday.
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Kristen told theBoston Globeshe learned of Jimmy’s cause of death when she received the toxicology report from the Massachusetts Office of the Medical Examiner last Friday.
Kristen Marks Instagram
“We love and miss our son and brother very much. Know that we truly appreciate the outpouring of love we have received. We hope you can respect our need to grieve privately as a family during this difficult time,” Jimmy’s father Kevin Sr. said in a statement on Monday.
Kevin Sr. told theGlobethat his son previously had struggled with an addiction to pain pills while playing professionally.
Jimmy Hayes.Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty
Before his seven seasons in the NHL, Jimmy played 334 games for four teams after a successful collegiate career and NCAA championship at Boston College.
Jimmy and his younger brother Kevin, who plays on the Philadelphia Flyers, were fixtures in the local Dorchester youth hockey community. On Aug. 30, a procession of youth athletes dressed in Dorchester Youth Hockey jerseys lined the local streets to honor their hometown hero before Jimmy’s funeral at St. Ann’s Church.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com
