Family Sues Alani Nu Over Teen’s Fatal Heart Condition

Texas teen’s death sparks wrongful‑death lawsuit

The family of 17‑year‑old Larissa Nicole Rodriguez, a high‑school cheerleader from Weslaco, Texas, filed a wrongful‑death suit on April 8 in Hidalgo County District Court. The complaint alleges that repeated consumption of Alani Nu energy drinks – at least one 12‑ounce can a day, each containing 200 mg of caffeine – caused an enlarged heart and cardiomyopathy that led to her death in October 2025.

Claims of inadequate warnings and targeted marketing

Attorney Benny Agosto Jr. asserts that Alani Nu was “defectively designed and marketed” without sufficient cautions for adolescents, despite label warnings that the product is not for children, pregnant women or caffeine‑sensitive individuals. The suit targets the drink’s distributor, Glazer’s Beer Beverage, and argues the brand specifically appeals to teenage girls.

Corporate response

Celsius Inc., owner of Alani Nu, released a statement expressing sadness and emphasizing its commitment to product safety, noting the 200 mg caffeine content is clearly disclosed on the can.

Legal stakes

The family seeks more than $1 million in damages, citing the lack of clear risk information and the company’s alleged failure to warn young consumers about the cardiac risks of high caffeine intake.