Former Fox News host Eric Bolling took to Twitter on Thursday to say that his son, Eric Bolling Jr., died of an accidental overdose.
“Just received some tragic news from Coroner in Colorado. Eric Chase’s passing has been ruled an accidental overdose that included opioids,” Bolling wrote on his Twitter account.
“Adrienne and I thank you for your continued prayers and support. We must fight against this national epidemic, too many innocent victims,” Bolling added.
Bolling’s disclosure came on the same day that President Donald Trump declared America’s opioid crisis to be a public health emergency.
The younger Bolling died in September at age 19, shortly after the elder Bolling exited as host of Fox News’ “The Specialists” following an investigation into claims of sexual harassment.
The topic of the younger Bolling’s death came up again this week, after Bolling’s former Fox News colleague Bill O’Reilly suggested that Bolling’s scandal might have played a part in the death.
Bolling called O’Reilly’s comments “beyond inappropriate.”
“I believe it is beyond inappropriate for anyone to bring in the tragic death of my son Eric Chase Bolling,” the elder Bolling said in a statement tweeted by the New York Times’ Emily Steel, one of the reporters to whom O’Reilly made the comments. “Just as Bill O’Reilly had wanted to shield his children from the allegations against him, I hope he will honor my request to avoid any future mentions of my son. My parting from Fox News was in no way connected to the tragic news of my son’s passing. The coroner has in fact indicated to us that they believe it was an accident.”
O’Reilly subsequently issued an apology on Twitter, which Bolling accepted.
Just received some tragic news from Coroner in Colorado. Eric Chase’s passing has been ruled an accidental overdose that included opioids 1/
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) October 26, 2017
2/ Adrienne and I thank you for your continued prayers and support. We must fight against this national epidemic, too many innocent victims. pic.twitter.com/BigEPYhkP9
— Eric Bolling (@ericbolling) October 26, 2017