Two men have been arrested for allegedly supplying TikTok star Cooper Noriega with the drugs that caused his fatal overdose aged 19 on June 9 2022.
Last year the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner ruled that the social media star passed away from ‘combined effects of alprazolam, fentanyl, and lorazepam,’ per documents obtained by The Blast.
TMZ reports investigators have arrested and arraigned Erik Oved Estrada on federal narcotics charges – it is alleged he ran an illegal drug operation out of his Calabasas home, with ‘one of his associates’ allegedly delivering fentanyl-laced oxycodone to C.N. – with Noriega’s father Harold confirming this is Cooper.
Investigators claim Estrada ran a drug-trafficking operation – which provided ‘same-day delivery of cocaine and fentanyl-laced pills,’
They claim Estrada sold fentanyl-laced pills to Arian Alani – who then sold them to C.N., who took them and died.
Tragic loss: Two men have been arrested for allegedly supplying TikTok star Cooper Noriega with the drugs that caused his fatal overdose aged 19 on June 9 2022
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner ruled that the social media star (seen in February) passed away from ‘combined effects of alprazolam, fentanyl, and lorazepam’
Prosecutors claim Alani text Estrada ‘my boy just died yesterday’ in reference to C.N. and that Estrada ‘shouldn’t be selling (expletive) with fentanyl.’
Estrada and Alani are each charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, among other charges.
Cooper’s dad, Harold Noriega, said in a statement ‘he’s grateful’ for the arrests and charges and the ‘family is very happy’ with the result.
Cooper – who has more than 3.2 million followers on TikTok – had previously spoken out about suffering from mental health issues, and revealed on Instagram that he ‘struggled with addiction’ starting at nine years old.
He also told his followers that he had suffered from an ‘overdose/suicide attempt’ from fentanyl in 2020.
Both Lorazepam (also known as Ativan) and Alprazolam (also known as Xanax) – drugs used to treat anxiety and panic disorder – ‘may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma if used along with certain medications,’ according to MedicinePlus.gov.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroine.
It was created to treat cancer but is often taken for recreational use, as well as added to drugs like cocaine or heroin to increase their potency or make them more profitable.
Cooper had previously spoken out about suffering from mental health issues, and revealed that he ‘struggled with addiction’ starting at age nine. He is seen four days before his death
According to DrugAbuseStatstics.org, less than 0.07 ounces of fentanyl causes certain death, and the drug is a factor in 53 per cent of drug overdoses.
It is unclear if Cooper had been prescribed the medications that he had taken with the fentanyl. His death was ultimately ruled the death an ‘accident’ caused by the fatal combination of the three drugs.
In addition, the toxicology report also found evidence of ‘recent clonazepam use’ – another medication used for anxiety.
Back in June, just four days before his passing, Cooper announced that he had started a forum on Discord for people to openly discuss their struggles.
‘I want to create a space built on spreading awareness and normalizing talking about mental illness,’ he said at the time.
‘My goal is to eventually open a rehab where people aren’t traumatized at the end of their recovery, and where the staff members are trusted people.
‘One of the many things I’ve learned while struggling with addiction was that surrounding yourself with negative people will only bring you down.
‘For that reason, Discord is meant to bring us all together and create a safe space where people can vent and help others through their tough times.’
Last year, drug overdose deaths went up by 28.5 per cent. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 100,000 people lost their lives to drug-related overdoses in the 12-month period ending in April 2021 – a significant increase from 2020, when more than 78,000 people died of overdoses.
He also told his followers that he had suffered from an ‘overdose/suicide attempt’ from fentanyl in 2020. He is pictured above in April
It is unclear if Cooper (seen in August 2021) had been prescribed the medications that he had taken with the fentanyl. His death was ultimately ruled the death an ‘accident’
Back in June, just four days before his passing, Cooper announced that he had started a forum on Discord for people to openly discuss their struggles. He is pictured in April 2021
Following Cooper’s death on June 9, his sister, Parker Noriega, took to Instagram to confirm the tragic news.
‘Hi everyone. On behalf of our family we want to thank you all for the kind words of our little Coop,’ she wrote.
‘His passing is an absolute tragedy to our family and loved ones. We pray that we all as a community can continue on his legacy.
‘He loved each and everyone of you. Please feel free to reach out to us as we love feeling all the support. Bless you all… With love, his sister.’
Their dad dad, Harold Noriega, also posted an emotional message to the Discord server. He wrote: ‘I want to first thank each and every one of you for all of the wonderful words [and] love sent to us about our beautiful boy.
‘Coop had told us how much he wanted this Discord to be a successful place for people like him to feel safe to share their mental health concerns and find help and comfort.
‘It is our goal to continue his wish with this Discord for people to be real and find love and support here.
‘I want to create a space built on spreading awareness and normalizing talking about mental illness,’ Cooper (seen in May) said, adding that his end goal was to open a rehab facility
He continued: ‘The Discord is meant to bring us all together and create a safe space where people can vent and help others through their tough times’
Following his passing, his family launched the Coop’s Advice Foundation to ‘shine a light on the urgent need to destigmatize addiction and support comprehensive mental health’
‘If we can help just one, just one person make a decision in the right direction, then Coop’s dream is a success.
And in October, his family revealed they had already raised more than $85,000 through the organization. Cooper is pictured in January
‘You cannot fathom how much it pains our family that Coop is no longer here and he will not be back.
‘But with keeping his dream of this Discord safe and positive, Coop lives on. I also hope to find peace here with the loss of my little boy. I love you all. Harold.’
Following his passing, his family launched the Coop’s Advice Foundation in an attempt to ‘shine a light on the urgent need to destigmatize addiction and support comprehensive mental health.’
‘The Coop’s Advice Foundation aims to become a leader in the movement to rethink how our society understands and addresses mental health and addiction, especially among the members of GenZ,’ an Instagram post about it read.
‘The Foundation will continue to pursue Cooper’s unique vision through a combination of social and physical mental health experiences, organized community events, and innovative approaches toward using social influence to empower a mental health movement.’
Hours before he passed away, Cooper posted an ominous video of himself discussing his fears over ‘dying young’
In a heartbreaking tribute, Cooper’s ex girlfriend Sabrina Quesada, 20, called him ‘the best thing that ever happened to her’
‘You were the biggest light in the world, anyone who met you loved you so much,’ she gushed. ‘You had the most contagious laugh and brightest smile’
And in October, his family revealed they had already raised more than $85,000 through the organization.
Hours before he passed away, Cooper posted an ominous video of himself discussing his fears over ‘dying young.’
The clip showed him lying in bed, which he captioned, ‘Who else be thinking they gon die young af?’
Many of Cooper’s friends, fellow influencers, fans, family members, and loved ones were left shocked and devastated over the sudden loss.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Cooper’s ex girlfriend Sabrina Quesada, 20, called him ‘the best thing that ever happened to her.’
‘You were the biggest light in the world, anyone who met you loved you so much,’ she gushed.
‘You had the most contagious laugh and brightest smile. You loved me more than anyone ever has and I will never forget how that feels.
‘I’m so lucky to have been loved by you. you deserved so much better than this. I’m so f**king sorry.’
