
Weslaco Teen’s Fatal Heart Attack Linked to Energy Drink: What San Antonio Families Need to Know
The Tragedy That Shook the Rio Grande Valley—and What It Means for San Antonio
On October 20, 2025, Larissa Rodriguez—a 17-year-old cheerleader, beauty pageant contestant, and star student from Weslaco—suffered a fatal cardiac event shortly after her high school homecoming. The Hidalgo County Medical Examiner ruled her death a result of cardiomyopathy caused by excessive caffeine consumption, with no other harmful substances found in her system. The source? Alani Nu Energy Drinks, a popular beverage marketed to young women