Young Sandy "Bucket Brigade" Volunteer Died Of Heroin Overdose, Family Says

When Superstorm Sandy blasted into Ocean County on Oct. 29, 2012, Cassandra Vitale packed her bags, left her Florida home and came back to her native New Jersey.

She founded the Ortley Beach-based ”Bucket Brigade” and spent months helping residents on the battered barrier island recover from the storm.

Cassandra made a name for herself in Ocean County. So residents were shocked and saddened to learn this week that she had died earlier this week at the age of 29 in Florida.

The cause of death? A heroin overdose.

Vitale’s family told nj.com they decided to go public in the hope that other lives may be saved from the heroin scourge.

To read the entire story, click here.

Photo credit: Bucket Brigade Facebook page.