(L.A.) Alexander Niezgoda, 41, Died at a Residence

Case Number: 2024-14214

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 41-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred at his residence.

The coroner’s office identified the man as Alexander Niezgoda.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Cocaine and Propranolol Toxicity

RIP ALEXANDER NIEZGODA (July 8, 1983 – September 7, 2024)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Saturday at 1:21 p.m.

Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on February 24, presumably after the results of tox screening had come back from the lab.

This is considered an accidental, i.e., unintentional, drug overdose.

Propranolol is a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, shaking, and other conditions.

Cocaine primarily exerts its effects by blocking the reuptake of catecholamines like norepinephrine and dopamine, leading to increased sympathetic activity, elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and myocardial oxygen demand. Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that blocks beta-1 and beta-2 receptors.

When propranolol is taken in the presence of cocaine, it can block the beta-2 receptors, which normally mediate vasodilation. This blockade can lead to unopposed alpha-adrenergic stimulation, resulting in severe hypertension and coronary vasospasm.

The combination can cause significant cardiovascular stress. The elevated blood pressure and heart rate from cocaine, coupled with the potential for coronary vasospasm due to propranolol, can lead to myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and even cardiac arrest.