(L.A.) Kris Hacopian, 23, Died From Drug Abuse

Case Number: 2025-03076

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 23-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred at his residence.

The coroner’s office identified the young man as Kris Hacopian.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Combined Effect of Oxycodone and Alprazolam

RIP KRIS HACOPIAN (January 7, 2002 – February 16, 2025)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Sunday at 6:36 a.m.

Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on April 20, presumably after the results of tox screening had come back from the lab.

For the record, this was not found to be a suicide, but is considered an accidental, i.e., unintentional, drug overdose.

Both oxycodone (an opioid) and alprazolam (a benzodiazepine), are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. When taken together, they have a synergistic effect, meaning their combined impact on the CNS is greater than the sum of their individual effects. This can lead to severe respiratory depression, where breathing becomes dangerously slow or even stops, which is a primary cause of death in such cases

The CDC advises against co-prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines due to the high risk of adverse effects, including death. Despite these warnings, the practice still occurs, sometimes due to patients obtaining prescriptions from multiple doctors, a behavior known as “doctor shopping.”

Both classes of drugs come with warnings about the dangers of combining them. For example, the labels for these medications often caution against concurrent use due to the risk of respiratory depression and other serious side effects

Some individuals may misuse these drugs recreationally to enhance their sedative or euphoric effects. This non-medical use can lead to taking higher doses than prescribed or combining them in ways that are particularly dangerous.
 

GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-kris-hacopian