Attorneys for the family of 17-year-old Larissa Rodriguez have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit this week, claiming Alani Nu energy drinks played a role in the Weslaco teen's October 2025 death. Rodriguez, a cheerleader, tennis player and honor student, died after what her legal team describes as a fatal cardiac event. Her lawyers say toxicology tests found no other substances, and her parents say they want answers about the drink's labeling and the way it is marketed to young consumers.
What the lawsuit says
According to the San Antonio Express-News, the complaint, led by attorney Benny Agosto Jr. of the firm Abraham Watkins, alleges the Hidalgo County medical examiner tied Rodriguez's death to cardiac stress from prolonged caffeine exposure. The lawsuit names Glazer's Beer and Beverage as a defendant and argues the drink was "defectively designed and marketed," with warnings that did not adequately address repeat consumption, particularly by minors.
Details from the press conference
Coverage from KRGV reports that attorneys described Rodriguez as having consumed Alani energy drinks repeatedly in the days before she died. They cited the medical examiner's findings of an enlarged, "swollen" heart and said caffeine was the only notable result in toxicology testing. At the news conference, family members called on officials and retailers to confront how brightly packaged, sweet-flavored energy drinks are reaching teenagers.
What's in the can
Product information shows a 12-ounce can of Alani Nu energy drink has about 200 milligrams of caffeine, along with ingredients such as taurine, L-theanine and guarana extract. The label carries a side-panel warning that the drink is "not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, and pregnant or nursing women." Nutrition and ingredient details appear on retailer pages, including Alani listings at GNC, where the caffeine content and warning language are displayed.
Public health context
Public health researchers say energy-drink use among minors is drawing increasing scrutiny. A January 2025 technical report on healthy beverage consumption recommended avoiding drinks with added caffeine for younger age groups and tightening labeling and marketing practices, according to Healthy Eating Research. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's consumer update similarly cautions that energy drinks are not recommended for children and teens and refers to about 400 milligrams of caffeine per day as a rough benchmark for many adults, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Legal next steps and family reaction
Lawyers say the complaint was filed in Hidalgo County and that they plan to use discovery to seek sales, marketing and distribution records. The San Antonio Express-News reports the family may add other defendants as more information comes out. Local coverage also notes that attorneys said the lawsuit could seek more than $1 million in damages and that distributors had not yet responded to requests for comment, with KRGV detailing the family's public statements. The family's attorneys say they hope the case leads to clearer warnings and fewer social media campaigns that appeal to teenagers.
