Man Dies From Overdose A Day After Young Woman Loses Heroin Battle: Police

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Friends and family are mourning Michael Goericke, 28, who died a day after Hallie Ulrich, 22, also lost her life after a battle with heroin.

Ulrich's body was found on the side of the road in East Hampton last Thursday, police said.

Goericke was reportedly Ulrich's boyfriend; according to police, he died of an overdose on Sept. 8 at a residence in Southampton Town. Police did not specify where the residence was located.

Friends and family are mourning Ulrich's bright light and artistic talent; a memorial and tribute to her life will be held Saturday at Long Beach in Sag Harbor beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Funeral services were held for Goerlicke at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton Monday.

Friends paid tribute to his life, sending messages on the Brocket Funeral Home website and posting a YouTube video in his memory.

The overdoses of both young people has led to a public outcry on the East End that more must be done to prevent such tragedies in the future.

"Our community mourns the loss of two young people last week, both of whom overdosed. They were loved, had friends who cared. Our hearts go out to the families of Hallie Ulrich and Michael Goericke," wrote the SAFE in Sag Harbor group on its Facebook page. The acronym stands for "substance abuse free environment".

Photo courtesy Brockett Funeral Home.