Daily Tribune
PAOLO Tantoco, a prominent player in the local retail industry, has died at the age of 44.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DONNIE TANTOCO
A screen grab of the LA County Medical Examiner reporting showing Paolo Tantoco's cause of death as "cocaine effects"
Paolo Tantoco died from “cocaine effects” according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, shedding light on his sudden death in March.
A copy of the public coroner’s report obtained from the LA County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office lists “cocaine effects” as the primary cause of death. It also noted “probable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” as a significant contributing condition.
The report classified the manner of death as “accident.” Tantoco, who was 44, was found dead in a hotel on 8 March 2025.
An investigator identified as Laura Araujo and Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Raffi Djabourian were assigned to the case, which remains tagged as “open” in the LA coroner’s database under case number 2025-04377.
Tantoco’s remains have since been released, according to the same records.
Members of the Tantoco family have yet to issue an official statement in light of the newly released findings.
