Prom King Caffeine Overdose: Coroner Rules on Ohio Teen's Death

An Ohio prom king died from an overdose of caffeine after ingesting caffeine powder, the Lorain County coroner has ruled.

Logan Stiner, 18, suffered an irregular heart beat and seizure due to the caffeine overdose, Fox 8 Cleveland reported.

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He was found unresponsive in his Elyria, Ohio, home by his brother in May. The cause of death wasn’t immediately clear, but further blood tests were conducted after the family found a bag of caffeine.

Dr. Stephen Evans, the Lorain County Coroner, said Stiner had more than 70 micrograms of caffeine in his body and 50 is considered toxic, the station reported.

Caffeine powder is available online, and one teaspoon of powered caffeine can contain 1,600 milligrams, according to WKYC-TV. That compares with 280 milligrams in an energy drink such as Jolt or 260 milligrams in a Starbucks 12-ounce coffee.

“That’s a very dangerous situation and I think it needs to be regulated better,” Evans told Fox 8 Cleveland.

Ohio Sen. Gayle Manning said in a statement that parents should talk with their children about the dangers of substance abuse.

“I have been in contact with local officials to determine the scope of this issue and to determine if any action would be beneficial to address it. I encourage anyone with additional insight or ideas to contact my office,” Manning’s statement said.

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