LA Examiner: Cocaine, Anti-Anxiety Drug Detected in Filipino Businessman Tantoco’s Toxicology Report

LOS ANGELES - Toxicology results have confirmed a cocktail of cocaine metabolites and benzos have been found in the system of Filipino businessman Juan Paolo Tantoco, said the forensics report released on July 21 of the office of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Earlier this month, the medical examiner’s website has reported the accidental death of Tantoco on March 8 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, of cocaine effects with probable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease complications.

According to the tests, there was evidence of Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine when the body breaks down the white cocaine powder, a small amount of cocaethylene, the by-product a when cocaine is consumed with alcohol and Nordiazepam, a controlled substance for treatment of anxiety. There were no Fentanyl nor opioids detected in the tests.

The 10-page report was released by Deputy Examiner Dr. Raffi Djabourian and Forensic Technician Michelle Sierra included  results of the laboratory analysis of the Forensic Science Laboratories of the country medical examiner which was completed on May 7, 2025 and the crime scene investigation report by Laura Araujo on March 9, 2025.

During the weekend, Tantoco’s mother Nena denied rumors of the involvement of First Lady Liza Marcos on the death of her son. This was based on the Nina Tantoco’s social media post shared by Caritas Philippine Executive Director Father Tito Caluag, a close friend of the Tantocos.

A close look at the investigation report revealed the presence of Tantoco and his wife at the time of the incident. In her report, Araujo said that Tantoco’s wife Dina have admitted to police that “they have been using cocaine, cannabis and alcohol.”

The investigation report rêvealed that Tantoco used cocaine on March 8 at 2am and then cannabis around 3am or 4am 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 described 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 with 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 that Tantoco died by 12:05 pm and there was no reported traumatic injury or suspicion of foul play. Tantoco’s body was transported from the hotel by 6:10pm.

Araujo reported that “police discovered multiple plastic baggies of an unknown white powder”in Tantoco’s nightstand drawer. There were also 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 they were visiting family in the United States from the Philippines and have been staying at the Beverly Hilton since March 3. She also said that Tantoco has 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.