Newton Nickell Jr Cremation Expenses

On 09 July 2024, my sister and I both received that dreaded call nobody is prepared for. It was from the Clark County Nevada coroners office informing us our brother had passed away on 08 July in Las Vegas. They were investigating his cause of death, and had so far concluded no foul play was expected, so they did an autopsy and started toxicology testing. He was found unresponsive outside on a 113*F day and could not be revived when taken to a hospital.

We still have no cause of death since toxicology testing can take up to 90 days. But after the autopsy and toxicology were ordered, the county automatically sent his body to a funeral home so I arranged with them a private viewing for myself to ID him on 22 July. That had to be one of the most difficult days emotionally for me in my life, alongside seeing my mother’s body when she passed away.

With no confirmed cause of death, we can only surmise that his drug addiction played a factor, either directly via overdose on that day, or indirectly by contributing to his homeless living conditions and mental health status. I know plenty of us in the family and his friends did our best to be there for him emotionally but no one could get through to him to get off drugs and stay on his mental health medications. So, unfortunately his addiction stole him away from loved ones and made him turn toxic and abusive towards those who loved and cared for him most.

But one my favorite memories with my brother was the time he took me to see Star Wars Phantom Menace. I had been wanting to go see it for a while and my mom didn't have time to take me, so he did. I remember us being excited and laughing at stupid moments in the movie (it really is one of the dumber of the Star Wars movies). He even joked about how people would go all crazy at the opening credits (we were the only ones there besides one other guy a few rows up) and he said it would be funny if that one guy would stand up and be cheering. It was the way he said it that made me laugh and I still remember his voice inflections when he said it. Will always miss you, Spike.

Since he passed away without any estate, belongings, or assets, it has left me and my sister to cover his cremation expenses. The funeral home was the default one selected by the county and turns out they are more expensive than average, but the cost of transferring his remains elsewhere were about just as expensive so I had to just continue where he was.

If you would like to contribute, any amount helps. And remember, if you’re struggling with addiction and/or mental health issues, reach out to family before it’s too late. May Spike find peace in the afterlife that he never found in this life.