LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Richmond mother is on a mission to prevent the tragedy that took her daughter’s life from happening to other families.
Next month, Cheyene Helm’s daughter, Brighton Honour, would have turned six. Feb. 2025t will mark the two-year anniversary of her death. She died from unexpected causes.
“My daughter had a very rare condition called turner syndrome. And for three weeks, that’s what me and my family thought the cause of her death was until the autopsy report came back, stating that my daughter’s death was now considered a homicide,” Helm explained.
Helms learned her daughter died from fentanyl poisoning under a relative’s care. She says last year three people were arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter and other offenses.
Helm says every day is unimaginably difficult, which is why she’s channeling her grief and love into awareness with a billboard on New Circle Road in Lexington.
“It’s for more people to see the face of my daughter and to know that fentanyl changes everything.” She said, her goal is to combat a stigma and prioritize fentanyl ingestion being considered “poisoning” rather than an overdose. Helm says future laws and protections are needed.
According to Kentucky’s 2023 Drug Overdose Fatality Report, fentanyl was involved in over 1,500 drug overdose deaths with Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton, Madison and Pike counties as the top five places where deaths occurred.
“I have a contact with the DEA in Louisville, Kentucky, who does statistics from Louisville, Tennessee and West Virginia. And The numbers are outrageous. It’s not talked about enough,” Helm explained.
Helm says this issue, her faith and Brighton are the reasons she’s created her nonprofit, the Bright Light Foundation. The organization hosts community-driven events, created the Brighton Honour book club and provides resources and services to families dealing with the impact of gun violence, fentanyl or pregnancy loss.
“I just want Brighton to not be forgotten by anyone. Brighton was loving. She was kind. She was, she was smart, and she was the light of my life,” Helm said.
It’s why she shares their story in front of dozens at a time today.
Helm said she wants those responsible for her child’s death held accountable and hopes to help other families managing similar situations.