Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Teen's Fatal Cardiac Event
A tragic case in Texas has highlighted the potential dangers of energy drinks, particularly when marketed through social media influencers. The family of Larissa Rodriguez, a 17-year-old from Hidalgo County, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against distributors, alleging that an energy drink contributed to her death. Rodriguez, a former beauty queen with titles including Miss Texas Onion Fest, passed away on October 20, 2025, after suffering what court documents describe as a "fatal cardiac event."
Medical Examiner Cites Excessive Caffeine Consumption
According to the lawsuit, the Hidalgo County Medical Examiner listed Rodriguez's cause of death as cardiomyopathy caused by excessive caffeine consumption. The teen had purchased at least one Alani Nu Energy Drink from an H-E-B store shortly before her death. Her attorney, Benny Agosto Jr., stated that Rodriguez began consuming these products after seeing online posts promoting their wellness benefits, becoming "enamored" by them through social media interactions.
Agosto revealed that it was "common" for Rodriguez to drink an Alani Nu product at school or before sports activities, with consumption reaching up to one energy drink per day. She even posted about the product herself. Importantly, the attorney emphasized that Rodriguez had no pre-existing heart conditions, and drug tests showed "everything was negative, not one trace of alcohol or anything. The only thing she had in her system was caffeine."
Lawsuit Alleges Inadequate Warnings and Deceptive Marketing
The legal complaint details that a 12-fluid-ounce can of Alani Nu Energy Drink contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, double the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended daily maximum of 100 milligrams for adolescents aged 12 to 17. The lawsuit further claims the product contains an "undisclosed quantity of taurine" and a "vaguely described 'energy blend'" without detailed ingredient amounts.
While Alani Nu cans carry warnings stating they are "not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women or women who are nursing," the lawsuit argues the brand's marketing is "particularly deceptive because it positions the product as part of a healthy, active lifestyle while concealing the substantial cardiac and neurological risks associated with its concentrated caffeine and stimulant ingredients."
Distributors Named in $1 Million Damages Claim
The Rodriguez family is seeking $1 million in damages from distributors Glazer's Beer and Beverage LLC and Glazer's Beer and Beverage of Texas LLC. Agosto explained the distributors were named because they "fail to give any warnings," but did not rule out adding other defendants. Notably, Alani Nu, its owner Celsius Holdings Inc. (which acquired the company for $1.8 billion), and co-founder Katy Hearn are not currently named as defendants.
A spokesperson for Celsius Holdings Inc. stated that the product's caffeine content is openly disclosed and labeled with warnings, adding: "Our products comply with applicable federal labeling requirements, and our policy is not to market or sample to anyone under 18, consistent with those label warnings."
Remembering a Promising Young Life
Rodriguez's obituary remembers her as a determined young woman who hoped to attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a law career. "Larissa's legacy of love, compassion, and determination will endure in the hearts of those she touched," it reads. "Her memory shall live on in the kindness she inspired, the goals she pursued, and the dreams she fostered."
This case raises significant questions about energy drink safety, influencer marketing to young audiences, and regulatory compliance in the beverage industry. As the lawsuit progresses, it may prompt closer scrutiny of how these products are promoted and distributed to vulnerable populations.
