(L.A.) Benjamin Zermeño, 15, Died From Fentanyl

Case Number: 2023-17480

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 15-year-old Latino male.

The coroner’s office has identified the teenage boy as Benjamin Zermeno.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Effects of Fentanyl and Ethanol

RIP BENJAMIN ZERMEÑO (April 15, 2008 – December 13, 2023)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Wednesday at 12:19 p.m.

The Department of Medical Examiner publicly disclosed the COD ruling on February 2, presumably after the results of tox screening came back positive.

This is considered an accidental drug overdose.

GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/honoring-the-life-of-benjamin-zermeno

Mixing fentanyl and alcohol, even one time, can be fatal. Because alcohol exacerbates the effects of opiates, taking fentanyl and then drinking alcohol heightens your risk of severe mental and bodily damage and can cause you to overdose unintentionally. Simultaneous use of these two can cause irregular heart rate, respiratory arrest, coma, and death.