(L.A.) Dustin Holta, 28, Died From CHS

Case Number: 2025-04443

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 28-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred at his residence.

The coroner’s office identified the man as Dustin Holta. Born in the state of Alaska.

Manner of Death: Natural

Cause of Death: Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

RIP DUSTIN EDWARD HOLTA (February 8, 1997 – March 10, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Monday at 9:45 a.m.

Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on April 23.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition seen in chronic, long-term cannabis users, characterized by cyclic episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Of the over 160,000 records made public by the DME since the 1990s, this appears to be the first-ever mention of CHS as a primary cause of death. There are fewer than four dozen cases where something to do with cannabis is mentioned at all.

The decedent had a degree in aerospace engineering from New Mexico State University and was working as a space engineer at a California company acquired by Lockheed Martin.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Reports of Fatal Cases (Canada, 2018)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29768651/

The decedents had a history of cyclical nausea and vomiting, chronic cannabinoid use and negative laboratory, radiological and endoscopic findings. All presented to the emergency department with nausea and vomiting in the days preceding death and were treated symptomatically. Toxicological analysis revealed tetrahydrocannabinol in postmortem blood.

A mother’s story about losing her son to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326357