A couple found dead in a tent last month in Wolcott both died due to accidental drug overdoses, according to death certificates released Friday by the Vermont Department of Health.
Tammy Menard, 53, died due to a fentanyl overdose and Lucas Menard, 48, died from a mix of cocaine and fentanyl, their death certificates indicate. The findings were first reported by WCAX.
The married couple faced housing insecurity for years and had serious health issues. They were forced to leave their motel room in September when their 80-day housing voucher ended, according to housing advocates.
The Menards had been camping on family land in Wolcott since then. They were found dead in a tent there the evening before Thanksgiving, according to the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department.
People who knew them said the two often advocated for unhoused people, despite their own housing issues and health problems. Their deaths drew statewide attention to the plight of unhoused people as winter set in.
A candlelight vigil was held for them Nov. 30 in Montpelier.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Unhoused Wolcott couple died from accidental drug overdoses.