(L.A.) Zachary Symons-Rogers, 24, Died in a Vehicle

Case Number: 2023-13793

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 24-year-old Black male that occurred in a vehicle.

The coroner’s office has identified the young man as Zachary Symonsrogers.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Fentanyl, Alprazolam, and Methamphetamine Toxicity

RIP ZACHARY ZAMANI SYMONS-ROGERS (July 4, 1999 – October 10, 2023)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Tuesday at 4:06 p.m.

Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on December 29, presumably after the results of tox screening came back positive for the drugs. This is considered an accidental overdose.

Daddy & Papa is a 2002 documentary film made by Johnny Symons. It explores same-sex parenting as seen in the lives of four families headed by male couples. The film also examines the legal, social, and political challenges faced by gay parents and their children.

Filmmaker Symons and his partner William Rogers, along with their adopted son, Zachary, were one of the four families featured in the film.

Daddy & Papa was shown nationwide in the U.S. on PBS in the spring of 2003 as part of its Independent Lens series.

The highly acclaimed documentary won numerous awards, including:

• Emmy Award nomination, Best Documentary
• Official selection, Sundance Film Festival
• Golden Gate Award, Best First Person Documentary, San Francisco International Film Festival