(L.A.) Ricky Moralez, 44, Died in a Trailer

Case Number: 2023-18607

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 44-year-old Latino male that occurred in a trailer.

The coroner’s office has identified the man as Ricky Moralez.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Combined Effects of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl

Other Significant Conditions: Medical History of Hepatitis C, MRSA-Related Amputation of Right Arm, and Polysubstance Abuse

RIP RICKY ANTHONY MORALEZ (September 3, 1979 – December 31, 2023)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Sunday at 10:17 a.m.

Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on April 17, presumably after the results of tox screening had come back positive for the drugs. This is considered an accidental overdose.

MRSA (“mersa”) is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The usual antibiotics used to treat staph infections do not kill off this stain of bacteria and typically requires IV antibiotic of Vancomycin. When the infection is aggressive, the surrounding tissue, skin, tendon, and bone “dies” requiring surgery to remove it which may include partial or total amputations.

* The government investigator had initially spelled the decedent’s surname as Morales before later correcting it.