Marion Christopher Barry, Son Of Former D.C. Mayor, Dies From An Overdose

Shenequa Golding
Updated
The son of the late mayor was 36 years old.

Marion Christopher Barry Jr., the son of the late D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, died Saturday (August 13) from a drug overdose. He was 36 years old.

The only son to the divisive and flamboyant D.C. mayor attempted to follow in his father’s political footsteps when he ran for D.C. Ward 8 council seat in 2015. Known as Christopher Barry most of his life, yet on the ballot his name appeared as Marion C. Barry, resulting in him losing the election and coming in sixth place.

The younger Barry, like his father, struggled with addiction and had several encounters with law enforcement. In 2011 he was charged with possession of marijuana and PCP and in 2013 he was charged with driving under the influence of possession of marijuana.

While the elder Barry had many accomplishments during his tenure, he’ll always be remembered for a single night in downtown Washington hotel room in which he was caught on video lighting a crack pipe. Despite his drug bust and prison term Barry was able to re-enter politics and serve as mayor and later city council.

Barry Jr’s death comes just two years after his father’s.