(L.A.) Giovanni Torres, 12, Died in a Hospital

Case Number: 2025-05751

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 12-year-old Latino male that occurred in a hospital.

The coroner’s office has identified the boy as Giovanni Torres.

Manner of Death: Natural

Cause of Death A: Diffuse Cerebral Edema and Brain Death

Cause of Death B: Rhabdomyolysis

Cause of Death C: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD Gene Mutation)

Other Significant Conditions: Aspiration Pneumonia; Pulmonary Congestion/Edema

RIP GIOVANNI TORRES (November 29, 2012 – April 3, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Thursday at 12:31 a.m.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin (DMD) gene, leading to absence of the dystrophin protein, which is essential for muscle membrane stability. This leads to progressive muscle degeneration, loss of ambulation, and ultimately respiratory and cardiac failure. Most patients die in their late teens to 30s mainly from respiratory or cardiac causes related to muscle weakness.