Fashion model Jeremy Ruehlemann’s heartbroken father spoke out about his son’s battle with addiction just days after his death.
The 27-year-old was found unresponsive in his friend’s midtown Manhattan apartment Saturday.
His father, Achim Ruehlemann, told Each day Mail he suspects his son died from an accidental drug overdose after having an addiction to prescription pills for a lot of years.
“He did rehab and had tried to get off prescription medication,” Achim Ruehlemann told the outlet, adding that the painkiller Percocet was among the many pills Jeremy couldn’t stop using.
“Obviously, he was not successful.”
The devastated 59-year-old told the outlet that they are usually not “100% sure exactly what happened” to his son. He said they’re awaiting the outcomes of the toxicology test.
“There was no desire to finish his life, this was accidental,” Ruehlemann said. “Obviously, he had some issues with drug addiction, but he was very completely satisfied. He loved life. He was very vibrant, an exquisite soul, and a really giving guy.”
Touching on the heartfelt tributes his son received from the style world on social media, Achim Ruehlemann added, “I don’t know if there’s anybody who could say anything negative about him. It’s only a tragedy.”
The Latest Jersey native had walked and modeled for designers including Christian Siriano, John Varvatos, Superdry, Perry Ellis, and more. He also appeared in publications like GQ and Playhouse Magazine.
Ruehlemann, who was represented by Soul Artist Management, posted a behind-the-scenes photo from a Tommy Hilfiger shoot on his Instagram page days before his death.
Siriano shared a touching tribute to Jeremy Ruehlemann on Instagram Sunday.
“I even have never posted anything like this but to lose a friend who was such a stupendous soul is just really hard,” the “Project Runaway” star wrote. “That is for Jeremy, probably the most beautiful man that gave a lot like to everyone he met irrespective of what.”
Siriano described the model as one in all his “muses” and sent his like to his grieving family and friends.
