(L.A.) Maria Barajas, 82, Died in a Hospital

Case Number: 2026-00381

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of an 82-year-old Hispanic female that occurred in a hospital.

The coroner’s office has identified the woman as Maria Barajas.

Manner of Death: Natural

Cause of Death A: Metabolic Encephalopathy

Cause of Death B: Effects of Multiple Prescription Medications

Other Significant Conditions: Parkinson’s Disease, Chronic Lower Back Pain, Hypertension

RIP MARIA BARAJAS ( January 6, 2026)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Tuesday.

This represents a geriatric polypharmacy cascade culminating in metabolic failure.

The decedent died from brain failure caused by medication interactions, with contributing factors including Parkinson’s disease—which can alter how the body metabolizes drugs—and chronic pain management. The combination of multiple prescriptions, including analgesics for her back, Parkinson’s treatments, and blood-pressure drugs, likely produced a fatal metabolic crisis.

This pattern is unfortunately not uncommon in elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions who are treated with complex polypharmacy regimens.