COCAINE isn’t the only drug found in the system of Filipino businessman Juan Paolo Tantoco, according to a forensics report released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
According to a 10-page report released by Deputy Examiner Dr. Raffi Djabourian and Forensic Technician Michelle Sierra, toxicology results showed that a cocktail of cocaine metabolites and benzodiazepines (commonly referred to as benzos) may have triggered the death of Tantoco.
There were no Fentanyl nor opioids detected in the laboratory analysis of the Forensic Science Laboratories of the country medical examiner, and the crime scene investigation report by Laura Araujo.
Interestingly, cocaine and benzos have contrasting effects with the former classified as a stimulant while the latter is deemed a depressant.
Cocaine triggers the central nervous system, while benzos slow down brain activity. Both are controlled substances requiring a prescription due to their potential for dependence and misuse, including dangerous interactions with other drugs like alcohol.
On March 8, the medical examiner reported Tantoco’s “accidental death” at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, of cocaine effects with probable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease complications.
Tantoco’s mother, Nena Tantoco, earlier denied involvement of First Lady Liza Marcos in the death of her son in a social media post shared by Caritas Philippine Executive Director Father Tito Caluag, a close friend of the Tantocos.
In Araujo’s investigation report, Tantojo was with his wife Dina Arroyo-Tantoco at the time of the incident. She admitted to police that “they have been using cocaine, cannabis and alcohol.”
The investigation report rêvealed that Tantoco used cocaine on March 8 at 2 am and then cannabis around 3 am or 4 am to help him fall asleep. At around 11am, Tantoco’s wife believed that he woke up and went to the bathroom but could not confirm whether he again used drugs while inside.
His wife told the investigator that she woke up when Tantoco came out of the bathroom and said he did not feel well. Dina Arroyo-Tantoco said her husband looked pale and sweaty and then collapsed in front of her.
Tantoco’s wife asked for help from the hotel front desk, which dispatched hotel staff, which provided resuscitative measures until police arrived. This account corroborates the Beverly Hills Police Department blotter report that when they arrived at Room 504 of Beverly Hilton, hotel security personnel were performing chest compressions on an unconscious male, who was identified in the report as Tantoco.
Araujo’s report said that paramedics from the Beverly Hills Fire Department Rescue Ambulance #1 responded to the call and took over in performing life saving measures, including administering an unknown amount of Narcan. In Los Angeles County, Narcan is used on someone suspected of drug overdose, especially opioids,
Paramedic Guiney declared Tantoco dead at 12:05 pm and there was no reported traumatic injury or suspicion of foul play. Tantoco’s body was transported from the hotel at 6:10 pm.
Araujo reported that “police discovered multiple plastic baggies of an unknown white powder” in Tantoco’s nightstand drawer.Â
Among those recovered inside Tantoco’s hotel room included a small round canister with half of an unknown blue pill, two halves of unknown white pills, and a red gummy substance discovered on top of the night stand during the on scene investigation, the report said.
Tantoco’s wife Dina said they were visiting family in the United States from the Philippines and had been staying at the Beverly Hilton since March 3. She also said that Tantoco had been diagnosed with severe acid reflux and multiple over-the-counter medications for gastrointestinal issues were seen throughout the room, adding that his acid reflux is exacerbated by his alcohol and cocaine use.