Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Two Women Die Of Suspected Overdoses At HARD Summer Music Festival
Day 1 of the HARD Summer music festival in Pomona (via HARD presents...)
Two women have died at the HARD Summer music festival of suspected overdoses.On Sunday morning, the Los Angeles County coroner's office confirmed that an 18-year old woman and a 19-year old woman both died Saturday night after being taken to the hospital from the music festival in Pomona. Both were taken to the same hospital, but according to the L.A. Times it is unclear if they were related in any way.
Their identities have yet to be released, pending notification of family.
According to ABC 7, the 18-year old collapsed during the festival and was pronounced dead just after 6 p.m. The 19-year old was "found unresponsive" and pronounced dead after 8 p.m. The cause of death is suspected to be drug overdoses, though that has yet to be determined pending autopsies and toxicology reports.
Saturday was Day 1 of the two-day festival, being held at Pomona's Fairplex. Both days are expected to draw over 65,000 people. Temperatures in Pomona today are expected to reach 90 degrees, and high temperatures combined with Ecstasy use can be a lethal combo. In June, a San Francisco man died at the Electric Daisy Carnival in Vegas after authorities said he overdosed on the drug.
At last year's HARD Summer in South El Monte, a 19-year old woman also died of a suspected drug overdose.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
