(L.A.) Thomas Velasco, 31, Died at a Residence

Case Number: 2025-13447

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 31-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred at his residence.

The coroner’s office identified the man as Thomas Velasco.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Difluoroethane Toxicity

Other Significant Condition: Cardiomegaly

RIP THOMAS VELASCO (October 22, 1993 – August 22, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Friday.

Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on October 13, presumably after the results of tox screening had come back from the lab. This is considered an accidental, i.e., unintentional, drug overdose.

Death from difluoroethane toxicity (most commonly from inhaling 1,1-difluoroethane, or DFE) generally occurs due to acute physiological collapse following inhalation of vapors, often from products like keyboard cleaner or refrigerant sprays. The main mechanisms of death include cardiac, respiratory, and neurological effects.

Huffing is the common term for inhalant abuse, which involves inhaling fumes from household substances like sprays, glues, or solvents to get high.

* The government investigator had initially given the decedent’s name as Thomas Phemister Velasco.

Thomas Evans Phemister had been arrested in South Carolina for drug possession. He was arrested by Pasadena PD in December 2019 for assault and booked under the name Thomas Evans Phemister Velasco.