For Steve Witkoff, a successful real estate developer and U.S. special envoy, some of his most treasured possessions have nothing to do with business. They include a college identification card, a watch, and a ring that belonged to his late son, Andrew Scott Witkoff. These personal keepsakes reveal how deeply Andrew’s memory remains part of his father’s life.
Andrew Witkoff, affectionately called Drew, was born on January 3, 1989, and died on August 14, 2011, at just 22 years old. His accidental opioid overdose devastated his family and later inspired charitable initiatives, public discussions about addiction, and extraordinary tributes. More than fifteen years after his passing, Andrew’s story continues to resonate through his family’s personal and public lives.
Quick Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Andrew Scott Witkoff |
| Nickname | Drew |
| Date of Birth | January 3, 1989 |
| Date of Death | August 14, 2011 |
| Age at Death | 22 years |
| Father | Steve Witkoff |
| Mother | Lauren Witkoff |
| Brothers | Alex Witkoff and Zachary Witkoff |
| Education | University of Miami |
| Summer Camp | Camp Winadu, Massachusetts |
| Cause of Death | Accidental oxycodone overdose |
| Place of Death | Los Angeles, California |
| Namesake Nephew | Theodore Andrew Witkoff |
Andrew Witkoff’s Early Life and Family Background
Born into a prominent New York family, Andrew Scott Witkoff was the eldest of three sons of Steven and Lauren Witkoff. His father built a successful real estate business, while his mother, Lauren Rappoport Witkoff, also developed a professional career connected to real estate. Andrew grew up surrounded by close family relationships and friendships that shaped his younger years.
His grandparents included Lois and Martin Witkoff on his father’s side and Marcella and Bob Rappoport on his mother’s side. Childhood acquaintances remembered his bright smile and outgoing nature. Friends from his school years continued to express affection for him long after his death.
Steve and Lauren Witkoff, Andrew’s Parents
Steve Witkoff began his professional career as a real estate attorney before founding the Witkoff Group in 1997. He became known for major commercial developments and property investments across the United States. His career later expanded into diplomacy when President Donald Trump appointed him U.S. special envoy to the Middle East.
Andrew’s mother, Lauren Witkoff, has held the position of Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the family business. Both parents were closely involved in their son’s efforts to overcome addiction. Following his death, they pursued legal action concerning the circumstances of his treatment and final days.
Andrew Witkoff’s Brothers, Alex and Zachary
Andrew was the older brother of Alex Witkoff and Zachary Witkoff, who are both involved in business. Alex serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Witkoff Group, overseeing property development and operations. Zach has worked in real estate and became a co-founder of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency and financial technology company launched in 2024.
Although their professional lives have attracted significant attention, both brothers share a lasting connection to Andrew’s memory. Alex has spoken publicly about the family’s grief, while Zach honored Andrew through the naming of his son in August 2026. Their gestures demonstrate the continuing importance of their eldest brother.
Education, University Life, and Friendships
Andrew attended the University of Miami, where he developed friendships with fellow students and members of Zeta Beta Tau, a fraternity with a chapter at the university. Former classmates remembered him as a friendly and approachable young man who enjoyed spending time with others and brought enthusiasm to everyday social activities.
His earlier years also included a connection to Camp Winadu, a boys’ summer camp in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The camp community remembered Andrew with affection after his death. Friends from both his childhood and college years described relationships that remained meaningful beyond their time together.
Andrew’s Personality and Personal Interests
Friends remembered Andrew for his sense of humor, generosity, and lively personality. One close acquaintance described how Andrew paid attention to small details about people and used his humor to make them feel welcome. Another remembered his kindness and willingness to help those around him, including people experiencing homelessness.
Music was another meaningful part of Andrew’s life. He owned a guitar that his father later preserved as a treasured reminder of him. Andrew also loved his King Charles Spaniel named Rex, whose companionship featured in the affectionate memories shared by one of his childhood friends.
Addiction Treatment at One80 Center in Los Angeles
During his early twenties, Andrew struggled with substance addiction. With support from his parents, he entered a residential treatment program in Los Angeles in March 2011. His treatment was associated with One80 Center, a high-end rehabilitation provider operating residential and sober-living facilities in the Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills areas.
After residential treatment, Andrew moved into a sober-living residence on Sunset Plaza Drive. The arrangement was intended to support his recovery as he adjusted to greater independence. His family later raised serious concerns about the monitoring and supervision provided during this period.
What Happened to Andrew Witkoff in August 2011?
On August 7, 2011, Andrew searched online for oxycodone in Los Angeles and used a discussion forum to contact Daniel Park, a person offering the drug. The subsequent legal record describes a meeting between Andrew and Park on August 12, during which drugs were exchanged for money. Park later pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawful narcotics distribution.
Two days later, on August 14, 2011, Andrew was found unresponsive in his room at the sober-living residence. He died from an accidental oxycodone overdose at age 22. Oxycodone is the active ingredient in OxyContin, a prescription opioid medication. His death occurred approximately five months after entering residential treatment.
Andrew Witkoff’s Funeral and Memorial Service
Andrew’s funeral took place on August 17, 2011, at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan, New York City. The service brought together relatives, friends, classmates, and members of communities that had known him throughout his life. Condolences expressed the enormous loss experienced by Steve, Lauren, Alex, Zachary, and their extended family.
Messages from childhood acquaintances, university friends, and fraternity members remembered Andrew’s warmth and humor. One friend reflected on his ability to make people laugh, while another remembered his generous heart. These personal recollections offer a more intimate picture of Andrew beyond the circumstances of his death.
The One80 Center Wrongful Death Lawsuit
On August 9, 2013, Steve and Lauren Witkoff filed a wrongful death lawsuit against One80 Center and individuals associated with its operation. The family alleged that the center failed to provide adequate supervision and permitted Andrew to miss drug tests, communicate with drug sellers, and leave supervised settings in circumstances that endangered his recovery.
The legal action raised questions about patient safety in luxury rehabilitation programs. One80 Center also faced a separate lawsuit involving Jean Galletta, another resident who died in April 2012. Both cases placed attention on the responsibilities of treatment providers and the importance of adequate monitoring in recovery environments.
Witkoff v. Topix and the 2015 Court Decision
Andrew’s parents also pursued legal action against Topix, LLC, the operator of an online discussion platform. Their complaint, filed on August 12, 2013, alleged that the website’s oxycodone discussion forum had facilitated contact between Andrew and a drug seller. The case, Witkoff v. Topix, LLC, included claims for wrongful death and public nuisance.
On September 10, 2015, the California Second District Court of Appeal upheld the dismissal of the claims against Topix. The decision applied Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. § 230, which provides legal protections to online platforms concerning certain third-party content. The ruling addressed the platform’s liability rather than the dangers of illegal drug sales.
Steve Witkoff’s Fight Against Opioid Addiction
Andrew’s death profoundly influenced his father’s public involvement in discussions about opioid addiction. During a White House opioid summit on March 1, 2018, Steve shared his family’s experience and recalled receiving emotional support from Donald Trump after Andrew died. He spoke openly about the pain of losing his son and the importance of confronting the addiction crisis.
Steve returned to the subject during the 2024 Republican National Convention and a White House event on January 29, 2026. His account emphasized how personal loss shaped his perspective. In an earlier public tribute, he described Andrew with the heartfelt words, “My boy was the best of us.”
The Personal Keepsakes Steve Witkoff Treasures
Among the most touching aspects of Andrew’s story are the possessions his father kept after his death. Steve has described carrying Andrew’s college student ID in his pocket, wearing his ring, and keeping his watch close. These objects became everyday reminders of his son and the relationship they shared.
Steve also kept Andrew’s guitar before eventually giving it to Donald Trump, a longtime friend who shared an interest in music. Trump displayed the instrument at his Trump International property in West Palm Beach, Florida. For Steve, the guitar became a tribute connecting Andrew’s love of music with a friendship that had supported the family during its grief.
Why Drew Las Vegas Was Named After Andrew Witkoff
In August 2017, the Witkoff Group and its partners acquired the unfinished Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort development for approximately $600 million. The towering property on the Las Vegas Strip became part of an ambitious redevelopment plan. In February 2018, Steve announced that the resort would be renamed Drew Las Vegas in honor of his late son.
The planned project included a 67-story tower and a partnership with Marriott International. Construction was interrupted amid financial challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. The property changed ownership in 2021 and eventually opened as Fontainebleau Las Vegas in December 2023, but its former name remains one of Andrew’s most prominent tributes.
Charitable Giving in Andrew Scott Witkoff’s Name
Andrew’s memory has also inspired meaningful charitable contributions. Steve Witkoff and his partner Kristin Bell supported programs at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida. Their donation, made in Andrew’s name, focused on improving healthcare education and assisting vulnerable people affected by difficult living circumstances.
The contribution supported educational programs for doctors and nurses and initiatives serving people experiencing homelessness. Steve connected this giving directly to the loss of his son and his concern for people affected by substance addiction. The donation represents a practical way of honoring Andrew through services that benefit others.
Steve Witkoff’s Star of David Gift to Edan Alexander
On May 13, 2025, Steve Witkoff visited Edan Alexander, a recently released American-Israeli hostage, at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, also known as Ichilov Hospital. During the visit, Steve gave Alexander a Star of David necklace that had belonged to Andrew. Steve had worn the keepsake himself in remembrance of his son.
The gesture carried special emotional significance because Alexander was 21 years old, close to Andrew’s age when he died. Alexander had returned home after 584 days in captivity. By giving him the necklace, Steve offered something deeply personal to a young man beginning a new chapter of his life, moving Alexander’s family in the process.
Theodore Andrew Witkoff and the 2026 Family Milestone
On August 14, 2026, the fifteenth anniversary of Andrew’s death, his younger brother Zach Witkoff and Zach’s wife, Sophi Witkoff, welcomed a baby boy named Theodore Andrew Witkoff. The child was named in memory of his late uncle, turning a date associated with profound family grief into one that also celebrated new life.
Theodore joined his older brother, Don James Witkoff, who was born in December 2024. Andrew’s brother Alex described the timing of Theodore’s arrival as bashert, a Jewish expression meaning something meant to be. The moment gave the family another lasting connection to Andrew’s name.
Andrew Witkoff’s Memory on Social Media
Andrew’s family has continued to honor him through public messages on social media. On January 4, 2026, Alex Witkoff posted on X about what would have been his brother’s 37th birthday the previous day. His reflection connected the family’s experience of loss with the wider impact of drug overdoses on American families.
In August 2026, Alex used the platform to share the birth of Theodore Andrew Witkoff. His message captured the family’s emotions: “A day forever marked by unimaginable loss now carries with it new life, joy, and hope.” Such tributes keep Andrew’s memory present in the lives of relatives and those who continue to follow his family’s story.
Interesting Facts About Andrew Witkoff
- His middle name was Scott. His full name, Andrew Scott Witkoff, continues to be used in memorials and charitable dedications honoring his life.
- He spent summers at Camp Winadu. The summer camp in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts remembered him as one of its cherished former campers.
- He loved his dog Rex. A childhood friend remembered visiting Andrew and meeting Rex, his King Charles Spaniel, whom Andrew adored.
- He enjoyed helping others. A longtime acquaintance remembered Andrew patiently offering guidance with golf putting and computer use.
- His generosity left memorable impressions. One friend recalled how Andrew knew people experiencing homelessness by name and took time to speak with them personally.
Andrew Witkoff’s Lasting Legacy
Andrew Witkoff’s story is both deeply personal and connected to larger conversations about addiction, treatment, family, and remembrance. His death influenced the public advocacy of his father, inspired legal questions about rehabilitation and online drug sales, and led to charitable contributions supporting people in need.
Beyond the public tributes, Andrew remains a beloved son, brother, friend, and uncle. His family’s efforts to preserve his memory, from meaningful keepsakes to the naming of a new generation, show how one young person’s life can continue to hold significance long after it has ended.
FAQs
How old was Andrew Witkoff when he died?
Andrew Witkoff was 22 years old when he died on August 14, 2011, after an accidental oxycodone overdose in Los Angeles.
What happened in the One80 Center lawsuit?
Steve and Lauren Witkoff sued One80 Center in 2013, alleging failures in supervision and safety during their son’s addiction treatment.
Why was the lawsuit against Topix dismissed?
In September 2015, a California appeals court upheld the dismissal, applying Section 230 protections for third-party online content.
Why did Steve Witkoff give Edan Alexander a necklace?
Steve gave Alexander Andrew’s Star of David necklace in May 2025, honoring his late son through a deeply personal gesture.
Who is Theodore Andrew Witkoff?
Theodore Andrew Witkoff is the son of Zach and Sophi Witkoff, born on August 14, 2026, and named in honor of his late uncle.
