I happened to be away during my good friend Ali Mosdell’s passing, and upon my returning was shocked to see the article that had been written about her [Friends react to fatal overdose, Aug. 7, TIMES].

Coming home, I was expecting to read an article that celebrated the truly amazing person that I have known for 11 years. Instead, my mom had kept the piece from me, because she would rather I not read something so far from the truth. And after reading it myself, I was beyond disappointed that such an article was ever written, let alone published.

This is not just a “story” but people’s lives that you are dealing with.

Not only does it show no respect to the family, but also to Ali who was not depicted as the fun, loving person that she was. To quote from a Twitter account is tasteless.

The facts that were wrong were pathetic: the year of her graduation, the school she graduated from, as well as the day that she passed away.

There was no reverence toward the family, which had already been though enough, in photographing their home.

As for the cause of death, if a reporter needs to put the word “supposedly” in, then maybe you should think twice about putting it in at all.

This article did nothing to portray the kind-hearted, positive person I know and love.

I hope the TIMES is embarrassed. You guys missed an opportunity to write an honest article about a truly wonderful person who was a beautiful daughter, a loving sister, and a great friend.

Nikita Gray