South St. Paul woman died of apparent overdose

November 20, 11:14 AMSouth St. Paul ExaminerRob Shirk

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    Audene M. Castaneda

Audene M. Castaneda, 18, of  South St. Paul, MN was found lifeless on Nov. 17 by Minnetonka Police.

First responders found Casteneda after a 911 call Monday morning informing them that she was not breathing. Police suspect she died of an overdose of heroin, according to her aunt.

She had previously been released from a local hospital in Minneapolis, MN a few days earlier. She attended high school in Minneapolis that embraced the addicted youth in their student body.

We read stories like this all the time and have come to be hardened to the tragedy that descends upon the families and friends involved. The stereotypes in this case, don't fit the facts, as they often do not, and for our community to receive this jolt is a powerful reminder of how close catastrophe can be for our families.

Our community of South St. Paul is a sort of cul-de-sac in the Twin Cities. We are very much a small town, with its own history, nestled in the midst of a metropolitan area. When one of us goes down, we all  go down.

Audene, "Shiny Girl", Casteneda, lost her war with addiction and her family and friends will be laying her to rest on Saturday, as South St. Paul, tragically, lost one of our own.

Funeral Service Saturday 11:00 am Central Park United Methodist Church, 639 Jackson St., St. Paul. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in South St. Paul. Visitation will be Friday 4-7 pm at English-Meeker & Kandt Funeral Home, 140 8th Avenue North, South St. Paul and visitation Saturday 10-11:00 am at the Church. 651-455-5352