A son. A brother. A friend. A fighter.

Gabriel Fensler

March 2, 2001 – March 3, 2025

In August of 2024, Gabriel sent his mom, Kitara a 66-page plan called the Community Care Collaborative — a detailed vision for how a city like Spokane could fight addiction not just with treatment, but with connection.

That plan later became the foundation of the Gabriel Challenge.

In October, Gabriel lost a job after old theft charges came up — charges tied to moments of addiction.

He relapsed on October 31.

In early December, he checked himself into treatment and passed his first clean UA by December 29.

In a letter to his family, he wrote:

“I do believe recovery is possible." 

"I didn’t have the right steps or many sober friends, or a support network outside of family."

"I’m learning that healing can’t happen alone.”

In February 2025, Gabriel was discharged from the program for a relationship violation.

He had completed multiple phases of treatment, but upon release, all support vanished.

He was dropped off at a program requiring rent — but he had no job and was soon unhoused.

Gabriel applied for housing through a local nonprofit and completed all the steps.

They called the day after he died.

He spent his 24th birthday with family and at church.

On March 3, 2025, he donated blood to help pay rent.

With money in hand, he gave in to the urge to use.

He died instantly.

The fentanyl was so toxic that the examiner said he would have fallen asleep instantly.

Gabriel died trying to live.

His support failed him — not because people didn’t care, but because they weren’t connected to the issue.

His life reminds us that we aren’t divided.

We’re just disconnected.

This challenge bears his name so that his hope, becomes our action.