Teen’s death by painkillers comes as surprise to friends, family

By Jenny Davis

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 | 2:39 p.m.

Elizabeth Jacobson regularly talked to her stepson about the temptations teenagers face: vices such as alcohol, smoking and illegal drugs.

But there was one thing that she missed: prescription drugs.

It’s not that she wanted to avoid the conversation, she just didn’t know such pills and other prescription medications were a temptation until it was too late.

Police say her stepson, Donald Jacobson, 16, died of an accidental overdose of hydrocodone, a painkiller, on April 12.

“I didn’t lecture him on this,” she said. “I lectured him on everything, but never in a million years did I lecture him on pills because I wasn’t aware it was so rampant. We don’t do any of that in our household, I don’t even know anyone who does.”

The friends and family members of Donald Jacobson, who was known as DJ, said they could not believe their ears when they were told of how he died. The junior at Centennial High School was a wrestler, had dreams to fight professionally and had lots of friends. But the most surprising thing about his death was that he had always been adamant about not drinking, partying or doing drugs, they say.

“I never knew him to go out to party and drink,” said Jesse Longstreth, 18, who was one of Jacobson’s best friends. “We all had friends who drank, but he never really hung out with them when they partied.”

Longstreth described Jacobson as a good kid who knew everyone at school and was “really good with the girls.” When he died, a large group of Centennial High School students wore T-shirts in memory of him. Even now, the shirt is worn by about 15 Centennial students every Friday.

Longstreth remains shocked at the death. He said Jacobson would not tolerate it if one of his friends experimented with drugs.

He even tells of a time when one of Jacobson’s good friends started smoking marijuana.

“He would get on her case and tell her that he wouldn’t be associated with someone who smokes pot,” Longstreth said. “He helped her not do it anymore.”

Cayla Carlock, 17, who dated Jacobson on and off and was always a close friend, agreed with Longstreth.

“It really took me back when I found out how he died,” she said. “He was never into alcohol and drugs. I never saw this coming. I would have never guessed that this would have happened. If he ever saw someone doing drugs or drinking, he would tell them that they wouldn’t get anywhere doing that.”

So the unexpected death left them wondering, “What happened?” and “How did he get into prescription pills?” The answer isn’t easy, but friends and family members are sure they know who to blame.

Neal Hussey, 24, has been charged with second degree murder in the death of Jacobson. He’s accused of providing him with the prescription drugs that killed him. Authorities allege that Hussey gave Jacobson more than 160 pills, including 32 hydrocodone pills, the night before his death.

A Metro Police arrest report summarized the case against Hussey:

It said Hussey and Jacobson met at a Discount Tire Store, where Hussey was Jacobson’s manager. Hussey told detectives that the night of the overdose, Jacobson went to Hussey’s house for a barbecue. Hussey told police that Jacobson and he had been drinking beer. The report said Jacobson had decided to stay the night and Hussey reported that when he woke up, he found that Jacobson wasn’t breathing. Although Hussey called 911, paramedics were unable to save Jacobson.

After finding that the cause of death was an overdose of hydrocodone, Hussey admitted to police that he had an addiction to prescription pills and had offered Jacobson some pills in the past, but he did not give Jacobson any pills the night of his death, the police report said.

But Jacobson’s family doesn’t think Hussey is innocent. Elizabeth Jacobson said the family received a toxicology report stating that Jacobson did not have any alcohol in his blood the night of his death, proving in their minds that Hussey wasn’t being honest with police.

“DJ trusted Neal for whatever reason, he had respect for this man who was not deserving of it,” Elizabeth Jacobson said.

Elizabeth said the family didn’t have any problems with Jacobson until he started spending time with Hussey. She said that Jacobson’s inexperience with drugs and trust in Hussey, who she said knew the consequences of prescription pills, were his downfall.

Longstreth said that before Jacobson died, he was spending less and less time with his friends and more time with Hussey.

“I think because of where he was working and the influence that was around him, it wore on him,” he said. “If you’re around something enough for a long time while looking up to someone who is your manager, you can really be influenced by that.”

Attorney Conrad Claus, who is representing Hussey, said that he is looking forward to exonerating Hussey. He said that because Hussey did not offer Jacobson any pills the night of his death, it is not possible to prove that he is guilty. He also said that Hussey had a legal prescription for the pills and that Jacobson took the pills without his knowledge.

Hussey’s trial is set for March.

Jacobson’s family and friends miss him but hope that his death teaches others that prescription drugs are dangerous and not to be experimented with.

“I think his death has opened a lot of eyes,” Carlock said. “I hope more kids open their eyes and see what pills can do. There are a lot of people dying from it because it’s so easy to get your hands on now days. I would have never guessed that DJ would pass away because of drugs, it could happen to anybody.”

Jenny Davis can be reached at 990-8921 or [email protected].