Former ‘Real Housewives’ Star Confirms Son’s Death at Age 35

Heavy/Bravo Real Housewives news update.

A former star from “The Real Housewives of Orange County” has announced the sudden death of her son.

In an  Instagram post shared on April 6, 2024, original RHOC star Lauri Peterson confirmed that her son, Joshua Waring, passed away at age 35.

Here’s what you need to know:

Lauri Peterson Said Goodbye to Her Son in a Lengthy Post

On April 6, Peterson captioned a slideshow of photos of her son as a child and into adulthood. She penned a lengthy caption to announce the news of his passing on March 31.

“It is with a shattered heart that I write this post to let you know that my sweet Josh left this earth Easter Sunday,” she wrote. “No one can ever prepare you for this feeling of such deep loss. Every fiber in my body hurts. Josh fought every single day for most of his adult life, for his life. But this past Sunday, the challenge was too great.”

Peterson thanked all who helped her son through his past struggles with substance abuse.

“Josh I love you so much and I will miss you terribly!” she added. “I will forever be your ‘Mama Bear & Mama Dukes’ and every time the clock turns to 11:11, I will expect your call to tell me to make a wish! What will I wish for now? My heart is with you and I pray you have found the peace that you so deserve. Heaven has gained the coolest angel and you have gained your freedom at last sweet boy. Love always and forever, Mom ❤️❤️🤍🤍 Joshua-Michael Phillip Waring 12/20/88-3/31/24.”

Peterson also shared that her son leaves behind a daughter, Kennady.

Lauri Peterson starred in the first four seasons of RHOC as a full cast member. She returned as a “guest” and “friend” in several other seasons. She last appeared on the Bravo reality show in season 8.

Joshua Waring Had a Troubled Life

BravoJoshua Waring.

Waring had a tumultuous life from the time RHOC fans first met him. When Peterson was on the Bravo reality show, her then-teen son’s legal issues led him to a juvenile detention center. Waring’s troubles followed him into adulthood.

Waring’s troubled life included allegations that he was involved in a shooting in Costa Mesa, according to the Los Angeles Times. In 2019, he was awaiting trial when he was attacked by another inmate in an Orange County jail, per a report from KCAL News.  At the time, an outraged Peterson reacted in an email to the news outlet. “To witness the treatment of a pretrial detainee, an innocent person who is supposed to be assumed innocent until proven guilty is truly a tragedy,” she wrote. “My heart is broken and I am destroyed.”

Waring was released from jail in 2020 after pleading guilty to lesser charges in the case, People reported at the time.

In September 2022, he was sentenced to another prison term after pleading guilty to drug charges, according to the Los Angeles Times. Most recently,  The Ocean County Register reported in February 2024 that Waring was sentenced to jail for 90 days for allegedly violating his prison release terms.

Peterson was vocal about her son’s struggles and how she tried to help him. In 2019, she appeared on the “Today” show to talk about her son’s addiction and legal issues. She shared that her son’s issues started around the time she divorced his father.