Case Number: 2025-04377
Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 44-year-old Asian male who occurred at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, located at 9876 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills.
The coroner’s office identified the man as Juan Paolo Tantoco.
Normal pronouncement of death was made on Saturday at 12:05 p.m.
The ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on July 9, presumably after the results of the tox screening had come back from the lab. This is considered an accidental, i.e., unintentional, drug overdose.
The decedent was a Filipino business executive who was part of the family known for owning the Rustan’s retail chain in their home country. He was in the United States, apparently as part of the entourage of Liza Araneta-Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines, (Ano sabi ni ante kler?) who was promoting the Manila International Film Festival in Hollywood from March 4 to 7. The MIFF’s tribute gala was held on March 7 at The Beverly Hilton. His body has been repatriated.
It is not the LAPD, but the Beverly Hills Police Department that has jurisdiction in this area.
Manner of Death: Accident
Cause of Death: Cocaine Effects
Other Significant Condition: Probable Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
