MANILA — Paolo Tantoco, scion of Rustan’s luxury retail empire and husband of a Malacañang official, died from an accidental cocaine overdose, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner officially confirmed.
The 44-year-old retail executive was found lifeless inside his room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California on March 8.
According to the report published on the medical examiner’s website on July 9, Tantoco’s cause of death was listed as “accidental cocaine overdose,” with “probable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” also cited as a contributing factor.
A report by Bilyonaryo News Channel on Sunday revealed that the official death ruling had been made public last week, finally ending speculation surrounding Tantoco’s passing.
A separate article by Hollywood LA News, a US-based entertainment blog, confirmed the toxicology results and the medical examiner’s ruling.
“Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on July 9, presumably after the results of tox screening had come back from the lab. This is considered an accidental, i.e., unintentional, drug overdose,” it wrote.
The outlet also noted that Tantoco had traveled to the United States “apparently as part of the entourage” of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who attended the Manila International Film Festival in Hollywood from March 4 to 7.
Tantoco’s widow, Dina Arroyo-Tantoco, currently serves as Deputy Social Secretary to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr./PN
