Overview

• Katie Donnell, a teacher and fitness enthusiast, consumed up to three energy drinks daily alongside coffee and caffeine supplements before her fatal heart attack in 2021.
• Her mother, Lori Barranon, believes excessive caffeine intake caused her daughter's death, though doctors did not officially link it to energy drinks.
• Donnell suffered a heart attack while with friends, leading to brain damage from oxygen deprivation, and was removed from life support after 10 days in a coma.
• Energy drinks can contain up to 300 mg of caffeine per can, and consuming over 400 mg daily can increase cardiovascular risks, according to experts.
• Barranon continues to raise awareness about the potential dangers of energy drinks, urging parents to monitor their children's caffeine consumption.