WESLACO, Texas — The family of a 17-year-old high school cheerleader from South Texas has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against distributors of the popular Alani Nu energy drink, alleging that excessive caffeine consumption from the beverage led to the teenager's sudden death from an enlarged heart.
Larissa Nicole Rodriguez, a vibrant student at Weslaco High School known for her love of tennis and cheerleading, passed away in October at her home in Weslaco, a city in Hidalgo County near the Mexican border. According to her family's attorney, Benny Agosto Jr., the Hidalgo County medical examiner ruled that Rodriguez's cause of death was an enlarged heart resulting from stress and large amounts of caffeine. "Everything was negative, not one trace of alcohol or anything. The only thing she had in her system was caffeine," Agosto said during a news conference on Wednesday, emphasizing that Rodriguez had no pre-existing heart conditions.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Hidalgo County District Court, names Glazer's Beer and Beverage and Glazer's Beer and Beverage of Texas as defendants. It seeks more than $1 million in damages and accuses the distributors of failing to provide adequate warnings about the cardiac risks associated with the drink. Glazer's, which distributes beverages across Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the suit.
Agosto described Rodriguez as "full of life, full of love, smart, academic and with a bright future." She was just two months shy of her 18th birthday and had college plans ahead of her. Surrounded by her parents and relatives at the news conference, he added, "Her life was cut short." The family itself declined to comment directly, but Agosto spoke on their behalf, noting their desire to prevent similar tragedies. "What ultimately they want is that this doesn’t happen to a single child. If they can save one life, that’s what they want. If they can change the industry so that there’s better protections and warnings for kids, that’s what they want," he said.
Alani Nu energy drinks, marketed heavily on social media as a wellness and lifestyle product, contain 200 milligrams of caffeine in each 12-fluid-ounce can — a amount that exceeds the Food and Drug Administration's recommended daily maximum of less than 100 milligrams for children and teenagers ages 12 to 17, according to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. For healthy adults, the FDA suggests no more than 400 milligrams per day. By comparison, an 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull has 80 milligrams, while a 17-ounce can of Monster contains 160 milligrams.
Agosto explained that Rodriguez began consuming Alani Nu after seeing social media posts promoting its health benefits and energy boost. "First, she got into it because of social media and other social interaction with young people. At some point, she was enamored by it," he said. Over the last year, she drank at least one can daily, sometimes more, often during school or sports activities. The attorney shared photos and videos showing Rodriguez and her classmates sipping the drink during tennis practice and cheer events. The product's integration into her life was so deep that her school's homecoming invitation featured an image of Alani Nu with the caption, "Hope you have the energy to go to homecoming with me."
The lawsuit alleges that Alani Nu specifically targets young women and minors through social media influencers, portraying the drink as a harmless wellness beverage without sufficient warnings about consumption limits or potential dangers. "She was fooled that this drink is not a wellness drink, it’s not a get-well drink. ... It’s causing problems to her heart, which ultimately took her life," Agosto stated.
Celsius Holdings Inc., which acquired Alani Nu in April 2025 for $1.8 billion, is not currently named in the suit but could be added as discovery proceeds, according to Agosto. In a statement, Celsius expressed sympathy: "We are saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with the family. We take product safety seriously and believe consumers should have clear information about what they are drinking." The company highlighted that Alani Nu cans clearly disclose the 200 milligrams of caffeine and include warnings: "The label states the product is not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, or women who are nursing." Celsius added that its products comply with federal labeling requirements and that it does not market or sample to anyone under 18.
Agosto countered that the distributors bear responsibility because "they’re the ones that receive it, distribute it and put it all over the place, and they also fail to give any warnings." He noted in an interview Thursday that the case is in its early stages, and further defendants may be included as evidence emerges.
The Hidalgo County medical examiner's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the cause of death determination. Rodriguez's toxicology report, as described by Agosto, showed no drugs or alcohol, only caffeine, supporting the family's claims.
This incident comes amid growing scrutiny of energy drinks and their appeal to young consumers. In 2023, the government of Canada issued a recall for Alani Nu products due to noncompliances related to caffeine content and labeling issues, though specifics on the recall were not detailed in U.S. reports. Energy drinks have faced criticism for aggressive marketing tactics, particularly on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where influencers promote them to teens as fitness aids or study enhancers.
Public health experts have long warned about the risks of high caffeine intake in adolescents, whose developing hearts and nervous systems may be more vulnerable. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens avoid energy drinks altogether, citing potential links to heart palpitations, anxiety, and in rare cases, more severe cardiac events.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it could spotlight broader regulatory gaps in the energy drink industry. While federal guidelines exist, enforcement varies, and critics argue that warnings are often buried in fine print or overshadowed by vibrant marketing. For the Rodriguez family, the legal battle represents not just a quest for accountability but a push for change. Agosto reiterated their goal: to ensure better protections that might spare other families from unimaginable loss.
In Weslaco, a tight-knit community, Rodriguez's death has left a void. Friends and classmates remember her as energetic and outgoing, qualities ironically echoed in the very product now at the center of the controversy. As investigations continue, the case may influence how beverage companies approach youth marketing and labeling in the years ahead.
The distributors and Celsius have yet to file responses in court, and no trial date has been set. For now, the Rodriguez family's allegations stand as a stark reminder of the hidden perils in everyday consumer choices, especially for the young.