Heroin Killed New Jersey Father, And Family Fell Apart

Lenny Boldman smashed up cars, drove through a fence, overdosed and did everything possible to destroy himself as heroin took hold of his life.

Through it all, his family tried to say close, even as they fell into despair. They were close, even as Lenny couldn't get help anymore.

That day came, on March 29, 2014. Police found Lenny Boldman in a Seaside Park winter rental, in boxer shorts and wearing a T-shirt in a bathtub, in a puddle of water. He was dead, the effects of years of heroin use.

These details of his life are among the central pieces of The Press's Children of Heroin Series, which recounts how a strong man with a close family descended into a world of heroin and neglect.

Now that family is struggling to resurrect their lives, even turning to GoFundMe for help as they look for a home, or some semblance of safety, stability and security that they lost since their father's drug abuse took its toll.

"We've been on our own fending for ourselves with great difficulty," Kim, his ex-wife, wrote on the page. "My goal is to provide a home for my children."

Kim said she's been sleeping on her parents couches living out of a bucket of clothes and "my heart aches over this."

"I only want to provide consistency, safety, stability, and security so that my children may smile once again," she said.

In various ways, the Boldman's descent into drugs still bewilders those who loved him.

Boldman, a Toms River native, was 41 when he died, survived by his parents and much of his family. Even though he was recently divorced, his obituary from the Day Funeral Home lists his wife of 23 years, Kim, as one of his survivors.

Also listed were his "loving children," Joseph and wife Laura of Old Bridge; Nicholas, Carly, Taylor and Nathan, all of Cliffwood Beach.

Carly Boldman expressed her feelings in a condolence message:

"Rest in peace daddy. I love you with all my heart. Please watch over us in heaven and help us to make the right decisions and point us in the right direction. I miss you. You will never be forgotten. You are forever in my heart."

Lenny was considered a strong man, someone who was a good businessman who worked hard for the family. His obituary listed him as the owner/operator of Integrity Painting of Englishtown.

But when heroin took its toll, the family lost everything, according to The Press. They lost electricity in their house. They lost beds to sleep in. Then they lost their house.

Kim told The Press she was determined to hold her family together, but it wasn't easy. The family eventually grew resentful, and most of the children declined to speak to The Press for the story.

“I tried to keep them kids in their bedrooms in the home,” she told the publication. “I tried to stay there as long as I could because the children didn’t want to leave” the house.

Now she's asking for people to see that her family has been "suffering in silence" even as they were hurt, exhausted,and falling apart.

"I am asking for those able to open their eyes and see we are here, open their ears and hear our story, and open their hearts and help us have a home," Kim said. "We would be ever so grateful for this opportunity to have a second chance in life."

Photo: Boldman family from GoFundMe

Read more from The Asbury Park Press's Children of Heroin Series