Tragic Loss Sparks Warning on Energy Drink Consumption

A 28-year-old Florida teacher and fitness enthusiast, Katie Donnell, passed away from a heart attack, leaving her family devastated, New York Post reports.

Her mother, Lori Barranon, believes her daughter’s high caffeine intake—which included multiple energy drinks daily—played a significant role in her sudden death.

Donnell was dedicated to fitness and clean eating, often referred to as a “workout queen” by those who knew her. However, she also regularly consumed up to three energy drinks a day and took caffeine supplements before exercising.

“At 28, you just don’t see people dropping dead of a heart attack,” Barranon said. “She was the epitome of health other than [having energy drinks].”

Donnell had experienced severe anxiety and had sought medical help, but her mother now believes caffeine may have been the real culprit.

In August 2021, Donnell was spending time with friends when she suddenly collapsed, her eyes rolling back. Her friends initially thought she was having a stroke and called for an ambulance.

By the time medical personnel arrived, she had been without oxygen for too long, causing severe brain damage. After ten days in a medically induced coma, her condition worsened, leading her family to make the heartbreaking decision to remove life support.

While doctors did not officially attribute Donnell’s death to energy drinks, her mother is convinced they played a role.

“Doctors said they see this happen a lot with people that do a lot of pre-workout or energy drinks,” Barranon explained. “I know for a fact that was what was wrong with her.”

Studies have shown that excessive caffeine consumption can lead to increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and heightened anxiety, all of which can strain the heart. The FDA recommends that healthy adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day—the equivalent of four cups of coffee or two to four energy drinks, depending on the brand.

Other cases of caffeine-related deaths have been reported, including 21-year-old Australian musician Lachlan Foote, who died from caffeine toxicity after adding caffeine powder to a protein shake.

Now, Barranon is raising awareness about the potential dangers of excessive caffeine consumption, particularly for young people.

“If you don’t keep your kids away from this stuff, you may be in my situation where your life is ruined,” she said. “It’s so harmful and deadly.”

She urges parents to educate their children about caffeine consumption and monitor their intake.

“I beg people to counsel your kids and watch what they’re doing. I thought I was,” she said. “I tell everybody I see with energy drinks that this is what it can do in the blink of an eye.”