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Hausman said his son was "more than fine" after getting help with his long battle with anxiety and depression. However, things took an unfortunate turn one fateful night earlier this year.
Landen overdosed after taking counterfeit Percocet pills laced with Fentanyl on Jan. 17. The person who sold him the pills, 23-year-old Mikiyas Kefyalew, of Piney Branch, was arrested and charged with Landen's death on April 14, according to Montgomery County Police. Now, Landen's family is hoping his story will help others avoid a similar tragedy.
"His death still doesn't feel real," Marc wrote on Facebook. "Hilary Hahn Hausman and I expect him to walk through our door each night."
Marc said his son, who played basketball at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, struggled with depression and substance abuse for two years, according to an article he wrote on LinkedIn. He said Landen was "in a good place" the night he overdosed.
"I share this story with you because as a society we tend to hide the issue of depression, anxiety, and the resulting drug abuse in the shadows," Marc wrote on LinkedIn.
"Teenagers and young adults even romanticize it. At the candlelight vigil held in his honor, two of his classmates told me this was how Landen wanted to go out – just like the musician Kurt Cobain."
Landen's family is hoping his story will inspire others to come forward about their own personal battles and seek help when needed.
"There is no shame in Landen’s death," Marc concluded. "I just want to prevent this tragedy from befalling another family."
Kefyalew was charged with one count of distribution of a narcotic and is said to face further charges as the investigation continues.
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