Texas Cheerleader's Death Linked to Energy Drink Habit

Lawsuit claims Alani Nu energy drinks lacked adequate warnings about cardiac risks

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:07pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image showing the internal structure of an energy drink can, conceptually illustrating the hidden health risks of excessive caffeine consumption.A haunting X-ray image of an energy drink can reveals the hidden dangers within, as one family's tragic loss sparks calls for greater transparency and regulation.Edinburg Today

The mother of a 17-year-old Texas cheerleader who died from a caffeine-induced enlarged heart has filed a lawsuit against the distributor of Alani Nu energy drinks, claiming the company's wellness-focused marketing and lack of clear health warnings led to her daughter's excessive consumption of the beverages and ultimately, her death.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about the potential health risks, especially for young people, associated with the overconsumption of highly caffeinated energy drinks that are often marketed as healthy supplements. It raises questions about product labeling, marketing practices, and the need for greater regulation and consumer education around these types of beverages.

The details

Larissa Rodriguez, a high school senior, cheerleader, and student council president, died in October after developing an enlarged heart due to excessive caffeine consumption. Her parents have filed a lawsuit against Glazer's Beer and Beverage, the distributor of Alani Nu energy drinks, which Larissa had been consuming regularly in the year leading up to her death. The lawsuit claims the drinks were defectively designed, marketed, and lacked adequate warnings about the serious cardiac risks of overconsumption.

  • In the year leading up to her death, Larissa had picked up a habit of drinking Alani Nu energy drinks.
  • Larissa died in October.

The players

Larissa Rodriguez

A 17-year-old Texas high school senior, cheerleader, and student council president who died from a caffeine-induced enlarged heart.

Jennifer Rodriguez

Larissa's mother, who has filed a lawsuit against the distributor of Alani Nu energy drinks.

Benny Agosto Jr.

One of the family's lawyers, who said the county medical examiner determined Larissa's cause of death was an enlarged heart due to excessive caffeine consumption.

Glazer's Beer and Beverage

The distributor of Alani Nu energy drinks to H-E-B stores in Hidalgo County, where Larissa would purchase them, and is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Alani Nu

The energy drink brand that Larissa had been consuming regularly in the year leading up to her death.

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What they’re saying

“There's no warnings, there's nothing on there that says, 'Hey if you drink this, you're going to be overstimulating your heart.'”

— Jennifer Rodriguez, Larissa's mother

“The medical examiner did not say in her report that she died because she drank caffeine that day. It's because of the continuous drinking of caffeine.”

— Benny Agosto Jr., Family lawyer

What’s next

The lawsuit expects to name additional defendants in the coming weeks as the case progresses.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for greater transparency, regulation, and consumer education around the potential health risks of high-caffeine energy drinks, especially for young people. It highlights the importance of clear product labeling and responsible marketing practices to ensure consumers, including parents, are fully aware of the dangers of overconsumption.