March 20, 2026 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 22-year-old Emily Beutner as effects of mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, quetiapine, and mirtazapine. The manner of death is suicide.
Shortly after midnight on January 6, 2026, Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded to a field near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Technology Drive in Palmdale and found Ms. Beutner in apparent medical distress. She was transported to a local hospital where death was pronounced at 02:10 hours.
A deputy medical examiner conducted an examination of Ms. Beutner on January 15, and the cause and manner of death were certified on March 20.
The Medical Examiner report will be released at a future date. News media representatives may request to receive a copy of the report by emailing pio@me.lacounty.gov. All other requests for the report must be submitted online: Case Detail – County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner.
The DME case number for Ms. Beutner is 2026-00242.
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