(L.A.) Daniell Koepke, 32, Committed Suicide

Case Number: 2025-03546

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 32-year-old White/Caucasian female that occurred at her residence.

The coroner’s office identified the woman as Daniell Koepke. Born in L.A. County.

Manner of Death: Suicide

Cause of Death: Asphyxia by Covering of Head with Plastic Bag and Displacement of Oxygen by Helium Gas

RIP DANIELL SIERRA KOEPKE (March 10, 1992 – February 23, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Sunday at 6:50 p.m.

Out of over 160,000 records made public by the county’s medical examiner since 1999, using a plastic bag over one’s head has been mentioned in about 150 records as a means of committing suicide.

When a plastic bag is placed over the head, it restricts the flow of air, causing hypoxia, a condition where the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply.

Helium is an inert gas that is lighter than air. When inhaled, it displaces oxygen in the lungs, leading to rapid hypoxia. The lack of oxygen can cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes.

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X18301847

Suffocation Using Plastic Bags: A Retrospective Study of Suicides in Ontario, Canada
asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/forensicsciences/article-abstract/45/3/608/1184648/Suffocation-Using-Plastic-Bags-A-Retrospective

In a review of 110 cases of suicidal suffocation using a plastic bag in Canada, about 40% involved an individual who was suffering from a serious illness.