Spoiled Fruit Drink Killed Woman, Say Doctor, Dad

A Cal State Fullerton student who died on a Tijuana street during spring break choked after ingesting a spoiled fruit drink, her father and a private physician said Monday.

Earlier reports by the Tijuana coroner’s office had indicated that Kavita Chopra, 21, had been felled by cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease, possibly brought on by heavy drinking.

But Dr. Parvin Syal, a Glendale physician retained by the family to do a tissue analysis, said Monday that he strongly disagrees.

“The blood analysis showed no evidence at all of any alcohol and no evidence of any drugs whatsoever,” Syal said. “The cause of death was asphyxiation from aspirated vomit. We believe the drink which she had was spoiled, which caused a gastric reaction that led to vomiting and, unfortunately, her death.”

Syal said the tissue analysis was done by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office at his request. Although the analysis did find some evidence of cardiomyopathy, he said, it appeared that heart damage had been brought on by the stress of choking and had not been a direct cause of death.

“The entire episode could have put stress on her heart,” he said.

Chopra was spending a day shopping in Tijuana with a friend April 9 when she ordered a pina colada at a bar, the friend told authorities. After taking a few sips, the young woman complained that the drink didn’t taste right, the friend said, and the two left the bar.

About 45 minutes later, Chopra told her friend that she didn’t feel well and needed to sit down. A few minutes later, the friend told authorities, the young woman’s head fell to one side, her eyes rolled back and she stopped breathing.

The dead girl’s father, Chopin Chopra, said Monday he was glad that the truth had come out.

“The Mexican coroner’s office has been saying that she had been drinking, and that is not true,” he said. “They are trying to save their backs. What I’m saying is that nobody knows what they are pouring into those drinks down there. If we can prevent any further death or injury, that is my point.”

Chopra said he would consult with his lawyers and the American Embassy in Mexico regarding the possibility of suing the bar owner for wrongful death.

“This was a sweet little 21-year-old girl who had just graduated and was looking forward to a full life,” Chopra said. “It is a great loss that has devastated my life, my wife’s life and our family. This small little drink has taken my only child away from me.”