(L.A.) Mauro Hernandez Osorno, 69, Died From Eating Yew Berries

Case Number: 2024-05473

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 69-year-old Latino male that occurred in a hospital.

The coroner’s office has identified the man as Mauro Hernandez Osorno.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Other Significant Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Reported History of Yew Berry Ingestion

RIP MAURO HERNANDEZ OSORNO (January 15, 1955 – March 22, 2024)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Friday at 11:32 p.m.

Eating yew berries is dangerous due to the presence of toxic taxine alkaloids in the plant. Initial symptoms of yew berry ingestion include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. More severe cases can lead to bradycardia, atrioventricular (AV) block, hypotension, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and cardiac arrest.