Rick Harrison, the star of the popular reality TV show “Pawn Stars,” has confirmed the tragic death of his son, Adam Harrison, 39, due to a fentanyl overdose. The elder Harrison, 58, made the announcement on Monday, following initial reports by TMZ about the cause of Adam’s death.
Harrison used the announcement to highlight the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States. He expressed his concern about the drug’s prevalence and the lack of effective measures to curb its flow across the country’s borders. He urged for more serious attention to be paid to the issue, stating, “We must do better.”
Adam Harrison’s death occurred in Las Vegas, with the family receiving the news last Friday. Rick Harrison took to Instagram to share his grief publicly, posting a heartfelt tribute to his late son. The post featured a photo of the father and son duo, bearing a striking resemblance to each other, smiling in a bar. The caption read, “You will always be in my heart! I love you, Adam.”
Corey Harrison, Adam’s brother, also shared a tribute on Instagram. He posted a nostalgic baby picture of the two of them in a bathtub, expressing his love for his late brother. Rick Harrison fathered Adam and Corey, 40, with his first wife, Kim. He also has a third son, Jake, from his second marriage to Tracy.
“Pawn Stars,” which first aired in 2009, follows the Harrison family as they run their Las Vegas Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. The show features the Harrisons as they authenticate and negotiate prices for items brought into their store. Despite the family’s public life, Adam Harrison maintained a low profile. He never appeared on the History Channel show and had reportedly distanced himself from the pawn shop. His absence is also noticeable on Rick Harrison’s Instagram, which frequently features other family members.