Pawn Stars' Rick Harrison Reflects on Son's Fentanyl Overdose: 'Nothing Worse'

Rick Harrison, the star of the hit reality series "Pawn Stars," is grappling with unimaginable grief after losing his son, Adam Harrison, to a fentanyl overdose in January 2024. Adam, who was just 39 years old, battled addiction for much of his life, and his death has left a lasting mark on his father.

"I think about him every day," Rick shared during an emotional interview on "In Depth with Graham Bensinger." Despite numerous stints in rehab and moments of improvement, Adam's struggles would often resurface. His death was ruled accidental, attributed to "fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity," a grim reminder of the opioid epidemic gripping the nation.

Rick opened up about the relentless second-guessing that accompanies losing a child, admitting, "When you lose a kid, you second guess everything." He reflected on the hundreds of scenarios that play out in his mind, wondering if there was any way he could have altered the tragic outcome. "Could I have done something different? You just sit in your head thinking, 'What if?'"

Adam’s passing also reignited Rick's frustration with the ongoing fentanyl crisis, which he believes is exacerbated by lax border policies. "The fentanyl crisis in this country must be taken more seriously," Rick stated. "It seems it is just flowing over the borders, and nothing is being done about it. We must do better." That’s a sentiment echoed by countless families affected by this silent killer.

While Adam wasn’t featured on "Pawn Stars," he worked in the family business, contributing to the legacy of their Las Vegas pawn shop. The show, which debuted in 2009, remains popular, although its newest season has yet to announce a premiere date.

Rick’s candid reflections paint a heartbreaking picture of a father’s loss. Addiction and its aftermath don’t just claim lives—they leave behind families wrestling with sorrow and unanswered questions. As Rick put it, "There is nothing worse than losing a kid."