Texas Teen’s Death Linked to High Caffeine in Energy Drink
The tragic death of a young beauty queen from Texas has been attributed to an alarming amount of caffeine found in an energy drink she consumed shortly before her unexpected passing.
Larissa Rodriguez’s family has filed a lawsuit against Alani Nu Energy Drink along with the Texas retailer that sold it, claiming they failed to adequately inform the 17-year-old about the potential dangers of their product, according to various reports.
A high school senior and co-captain of her varsity cheerleading team, Rodriguez suffered a fatal heart attack on October 20, 2025, after drinking at least one 12-ounce can of Alani Nu.
Officials have ruled her death as cardiomyopathy, a severe heart muscle disease, caused by a caffeine overdose.
According to her family, “Alani Nu Energy Drink is designed and formulated to potentially cause cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and death in consumers, particularly minors and individuals sensitive to caffeine.”
The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Hidalgo County District Court by her parents, Jennifer and Roberto. They highlight that multiple health organizations recommend children and adolescents should limit their caffeine intake to 100 milligrams per day or less.
Rodriguez’s parents argue that the 200 milligrams contained in a 12-ounce can of Alani exceed that amount significantly, making it more potent per ounce than many soft drinks or other energy beverages. They also criticize the drink’s design, noting the absence of clear warnings against caffeine overconsumption.
The complaint states that the label on the can includes a vague warning indicating that the beverage is “not recommended for children, individuals sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women,” but the text is small and easily overlooked.
The family’s allegations extend to claims that the product was defectively designed and presents unreasonable danger, lacking adequate protection or warnings about potential heart-related injuries or fatalities. They also assert that Alani Nu includes taurine, an amino acid that can enhance caffeine’s stimulant effects and is linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular effects and neurological changes.
The lawsuit emphasizes that the energy drink’s ingredients are often obscured in vague terms like “energy blends,” which render it difficult for consumers to understand the risks they face.
Alani Nu, established by fitness influencer Katie Hahn, markets its drink towards young women and minors through social media, presenting it as a “better-for-you” lifestyle choice. The family argues that this marketing is misleading, concealing serious cardiac and neurological risks associated with the drink.
Rodriguez was described as an active, high-achieving student who juggled various extracurriculars and was set to attend nearly 20 colleges, intending to study law at the University of Texas at Austin.
She had no known health issues and did not engage in drug or alcohol use. In 2022, she was crowned the first Junior Miss Weslaco and also won the title of Miss Texas Onion Fest in 2024.
Rodriguez’s family is seeking damages for the pain and suffering their daughter experienced prior to her death, as mentioned in the lawsuit.
