5 Years After 'Radiant' LI Woman's Death, Addiction Fight Continues

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Wednesday marked five years since Hallie Rae Ulrich, 22, died of a heroin overdose, her body found on the side of the road in East Hampton.

And in the five, heartbreaking years since the unthinkable loss, newsman Drew Scott, Hallie Rae's grandfather, has devoted his life to fighting addiction. He served as co-chair of the Southampton Opioid Addiction Task Force and also created a task force in Islip. He also created a foundation, formed to award scholarships and continue education and training on the East End.

"I just want her life to mean something and help others," Scott said.

The Hallie Rae Foundation is a 503 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, he added.

But despite valiant efforts, the war against addiction is raging — especially in light of a pandemic that left many battling demons alone — with overdoses spiking.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, the number of people dying in the United States due to opioid overdoes increased to more than 107,000.

Scott said the need is fierce to continue the fight — to save others from Hallie Rae's fate.

“It’s been five years today since we lost Hallie Rae," Scott said Wednesday. "The pain and heartache doesn’t go away. I am so sad for other families, too, who have suffered through this pandemic and this year's record number of overdoses from fentanyl. We have to keep up the fight and public awareness about the danger and life and death struggle of substance abuse.”

He added: "Say a prayer for so many of these families who have lost children and grandchildren to addiction or drug experimentation."

A heartbroken crowd gathered on Long Beach in Sag Harbor to remember Hallie Rae after she died — to pay tribute to her, and to celebrate her beautiful light.

Dressed in splashes of bright color, her friends hugged quietly, tears in their eyes. They came carrying the bright hula hoops Hallie loved, vivid sunflowers, shiny beads, candles, incense, seashells, starfish, and so many photographs, creating collages of a life lived with smiles, laughter and artistic joy.

Together, those who loved her created a shrine for Hallie, carefully constructed; her friends gathered on cushions and blankets, carrying guitars and drums to honor her memory with song and music. They sat quietly talking, sharing memories, as the last Saturday sunset of summer slipped into the horizon.

Ulrich, a Pierson High School graduate and a gifted artist, had a bright smile and beautiful life and will leave a forever mark on the many who loved her, family and friends said. They paid tribute to Hallie with thoughts and memories.

During the summer before she died, Ulrich had worked in Southampton at a sculpture gallery and had been painting a large cow sculpture, imbuing the work with her innate talent and unique vision, splashing bright colors and vivid flowers that reflected the vibrant clothes and funky styles she favored.

That cow was on brilliant display at the beach memorial, a shining testament to all Hallie created in her short but vibrant life.

The best way to remember their talented, smiling girl is in her own words, her family said. The following is an excerpt from her college essay to Pratt Institute, where she was studying illustration:

"For as long as I can remember, I have loved to draw. When I was young, I was encouraged to be creative. My sister and I used to draw on the walls of my childhood bedroom," she wrote. "We created a whole world on those walls. We would add to it throughout the years, especially on rainy days. As we grew older, the drawings became more detailed, more realistic, and always imaginative. Through my experiences of making art throughout my life, I’ve learned that there is a real beauty in the ability to draw. I’ve found that making art is the best way for me to express myself in a positive way. I’ve also discovered that in art, and in life as well, you should never give up on yourself or your work."

The piece was signed Hallie Rae Ulrich, 2013.

"Hallie spent the end of her young life fighting addiction. As a family, we are committed to her beliefs, to helping others, and keeping her in our hearts," her family told Patch.

Their goals include a scholarships to help other young artists and students.

Holly Zappola told Patch she been forever friends with Ulrich since kindergarten. "She was my first friend," she said. Her friend, Zappola said, was always smiling, laughing, dancing with fluidity and grace, pursuing her passion of hula hooping.

Her friend, Zappola said, was illuminated from within, sparkling with her very own magic.
"She was a radiant person," Zappola said.