US EditionLawsuit filed against energy drink distributor over Texas cheerleader's death
The family says the drink’s caffeine content and marketing to minors contributed to a fatal cardiac event and seeks more than $1 million in damages.
- On Wednesday, the family of 17-year-old Larissa Rodriguez filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Hidalgo County District Court against Glazer's Beer and Beverage, claiming the distributor's marketing of Alani Nu energy drinks contributed to her death.
- The Hidalgo County medical examiner determined Rodriguez died from an enlarged heart caused by stress and high caffeine intake; Alani Nu energy drinks contain 200mg of caffeine, which the lawsuit alleges is inadequately labeled and marketed to minors as a wellness beverage.
- Family attorney Benny Agosto Jr. stated Rodriguez consumed the drinks daily, alleging the company targeted young women through social media and homecoming event invitations, which Agosto claimed 'fooled' the teen regarding health risks.
- Celsius Inc., which owns Alani Nu, defended its product safety in a statement, noting labels warn against consumption by children, while the lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages for 'dangerously formulated and inadequately labeled' products.
- As discovery progresses, attorney Agosto indicated additional defendants, potentially including Celsius, may be added to the litigation, as the family hopes the legal action will force improved industry warnings and protections for children.
54 Articles
54 Articles
Energy drink Alani, owned by Celsius, is being sued after a teenager died from sudden cardiac arrest.
A 17-year-old Texas beauty queen with no health issues died from a cardiac event, and her family is pointing finger at an energy drink brand
Larissa Rodriguez was, by all accounts, a teenager who had everything going for her. The 17-year-old from Weslaco, Texas was a varsity cheerleader, a tennis player, an honor student, and a beauty queen who had been accepted to nearly 20 colleges. She had plans to study law at the University of Texas at Austin. She had no known health problems and did not drink alcohol or use drugs. Then, on October 20, 2025, she died suddenly from a cardiac even…
Can Energy Drinks Cause an 'Enlarged Heart'? Teen Dies After Drinking Too Many, Lawsuit Claims
The family of a 17-year-old cheerleader and tennis player who died from cardiomyopathy has filed a lawsuit against a distributor of the popular energy drink Alani Nu, alleging the girl's heart condition was caused by the large amount of caffeine in the beverage
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
