Jarred Rome | Fentanyl Overdose Death

In 2019, two-time olympian Jarred Rome died after taking a prescription medication laced with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. 

How Jarred Rome Died

In September of 2019, Rome and his family traveled to Marysville, Washington, his hometown, so he could be inducted into the Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame. 

Two days later, Rome went to the Tulalip Resort Casino with some friends but returned to his hotel room because he wasn’t feeling well. He had reportedly been struggling with arm pain as well as a heart condition and was still recovering from a collapsed lung from two months prior.

On the morning of September 21st, Rome was found unresponsive and later declared dead. 

Cause Of Death

According to reports released by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office, Rome’s cause of death was acute fentanyl intoxication, also referred to as a fentanyl overdose. He was 42 years old.

According to his family, Rome was not addicted to fentanyl or any other painkiller, and most likely took some medication that may have resembled Percocet, not realizing that it was in fact a poorly made counterfeit that contained an ultimately lethal dose of fentanyl.

About Jarred Rome

Jarred Daniel Rome was born in December of 1976 and raised in Marysville, Washington, just north of Seattle. 

He graduated from Marysville Pilchuck High School in 1995 and had a passion for sports, playing for the football and basketball teams and throwing the discus and shot put for the track and field team. 

Boise State

Rome attended Boise State University in Idaho, where he would continue to compete and graduate as a six-time NCAA Division I All American. 

Rome set school records for both the Indoor and Outdoor Shot Put and the Outdoor Discus. He was also the runner up in the 1997 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Graduating in 2000, Rome would be inducted into the Boise State hall of fame in 2007.

Professional Career

Rome competed at national and international levels, placing: 

• 2nd in both the discus and shot-put at the NACAC U-25 Championships in 2000 (his last shot-put placement)
• 8th at Universiade in 2001
• 13th in the Athens Olympics in 2004
• 7th in the 2005 World Championships
• 7th in the 2006 World Athletics Final
• 2nd in the 2011 Pan American Games

Rome also won the 2011 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and finished 17th at the 2012 Olympic Games (his second showing) for men’s discus throw.

Coaching

Rome also served as an assistant coach for track and field at Boston University, Head Throws Coach at Mesa College in San Diego, and director of the Ironwood Thrower Development Camp in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Remembrance

Upon his death, Rome was remembered for his humbleness, gratitude, and willingness to give back to younger athletes. A memorial fund in his honor raised $22,000 to benefit the throwing camp he directed.

Recovery Is Possible

The spread of fentanyl and fatal opioid overdoses have continued to plague the United States at a staggering rate, contributing to 53,480 deaths in 2020, a 59% increase over the 33,725 in 2019.

However, recovery from opioid addiction is possible with professional, effective, and evidence-based treatment. To learn how we address the dangers of opioid abuse, please contact Ark Behavioral Health today.