Jeremy Ruehlemann’s Father Reveals His Son Had Battled Painkiller Addiction for Years and Had Been to Rehab

Model Jeremy Ruehlemann died from an accidental drug overdose on Saturday after a years-long addiction to prescription pills, DailyMail.com has learned.

The 27-year-old’s father Achim Ruehlemann has revealed the potential cause of death in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, a day after his son’s passing was announced on social media.

Speaking from his home in Waldwick, New Jersey, on Tuesday, the bereaved dad revealed Jeremy had struggled with addiction to the painkiller Percocet and other prescription drugs, and had gone to rehab in the past.

‘He did rehab and had tried to get off prescription medication,’ the father said, his face pale and eyes sunken from a lack of sleep since his son’s death.

‘Obviously, he was not successful.’

Ruehlemann, 59, however, did note that they are not ‘100 percent sure exactly what happened’ as they are still awaiting the results of the toxicology tests, but described the death as a tragic accident.

‘There was no desire to end his life, this was accidental,’ he said. ‘Obviously, he had some issues with drug addiction, but he was very happy. He loved life. He was very vibrant, a wonderful soul and a very giving guy.

‘You could see what people are saying about him on social media,’ the grieving father continued, highlighting one Instagram post from fashion designer Christian Siriano who considered Jeremy to be his muse.

‘Siriano gave a very nice tribute,’ said the father, who works in manufacturing cosmetics.

‘I don’t know if there’s anybody who could say anything negative about him. It’s just a tragedy.’

In a statement to DailyMail.com, the NYPD confirmed the younger Ruehlemann was discovered at his friend’s midtown Manhattan apartment after police received a 911 call at 9:50am on Saturday about an ‘unconscious male’.

Officers arrived to find the 27-year-old ‘unconscious and unresponsive’ in the bathroom and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the cause of death.

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