Found Deceased CA - Erin Valenti, 33, from Utah, en-route from Palo Alto to San Jose, 7 Oct 2019

[afitzy]

That was my initial thought, too (I am a registered dietitian and I work in a psychiatric hospital). But... hypoglycemia that severe causes physical dyscoordination early in the onset of symptoms. I would not expect someone t0 be able to drive or manage a cell phone with ongoing, significant hypoglycemia. Diabetic ketoacidosis caused by hyperglycemia in undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes would be more likely, but also causes physical symptoms (vomiting, excessive thirst, frequent urination, etc). It does result in dehydration. Sad and interesting.

@Babylon Sister, with you expertise I was curious how you processed the information that was on the thread earlier today about EV recently losing 25 lbs?

We don't know how she accomplished this weight loss, but could weight loss perhaps impacted her system in some way such as perhaps processing glucose and possibly tie into the diabetes theories presented here etc.?

IDK, just looking for other ideas related to metabolism etc. rather than the focus which has been psychological events that were very severe?

 

[FlamingoLady]

I wondered if she had been at a hotel bar or some place where she had a drink or two and someone put something in her drink (like GHB or something) that caused confusion.

There was another case a few years ago where a young, professional black woman was confused and contacted her mother. I believe that she had been picked up by the police. The mother asked the police to keep her at the station until she could come and pick her up. They released her, and she was later found dead. This girl was also acting confused and totally different than she normally would act.

Mitrice Richardson in the Malibu Hills area of CA. Such a weird case.

 

[happyday]

That makes sense.

Don't some of those diet pills contain caffeine?

JMVHO.

Over the counter ones can contain caffeine, but prescription diet pills can basically be speed. People can be pretty crazy on them. MOO

 

[Babylon Sister]

@Babylon Sister, with you expertise I was curious how you processed the information that was on the thread earlier today about EV recently losing 25 lbs?

We don't know how she accomplished this weight loss, but could weight loss perhaps impacted her system in some way such as perhaps processing glucose and possibly tie into the diabetes theories presented here etc.?

IDK, just looking for other ideas related to metabolism etc. rather than the focus which has been psychological events that were very severe?

Without knowing the details of how she lost weight, how much, what time span, it's hard to even guess. MOO, weight loss in someone her size (probably technically obese before weight loss, definitely sturdy in circulated photos), would improve glucose metabolism, reduce hemoglobin A1C, and improve health. *IF* diet pills/stimulants were involved (and I've only seen conjecture, no fact basis for this), there would be more neurological than metabolic impact.

 

[akazia1978]

Missing Utah Woman Erin Valenti Found Dead in Car, Family Says
There is a disturbing comment in here from a family member she spoke to. It's weird because she has a FB post saying something similar. I'm leaning towards a substance issue based on this, and also because the tech world is semi notorious for using certain drugs to increase the amount of time one can work, focus etc.

This is the part of the article I'm referring to: “We talked to her for hours on and off” on Monday night, a family member also told the Mercury News. “Her thoughts were disconnected. She talked a mile a minute. She’d say I’m coming home for Thanksgiving, then in the next she was saying she’s in the Matrix.”

 

[Colorado303]

The family talked to the person she met up with.
No drug history we know of.
The vehicle was an SUV so it had no trunk. She was found in the back/cargo area. Like where you would climb in if you needed to nap.

Has it been hot enough there that someone who fell asleep in a car could die of hyperthermia?

 

[Seattle1]

Reportedly - EV was talking on the phone all night to friends, husband, mom, and even a police officer until her phone eventually died-- around midnight -- with all reporting she wasn't making sense.

It appears that the manic conversations began around 3:30 pm- telling her husband she was trying to find the airport.

I posted earlier that it seemed odd to me that after talking to so many people, she wasn't directed to get to hospital, stop and pull over, describe her surrounding, etc.

I'd been thinking about this from personal experience. I've had chronic migraines since childhood, and they can come on as quick as following a sneeze, or progressing through a typical aura cycle.

There have been many times I've found myself trying to beat the episode and get myself to pharmacy or ER, and would not have made it without "verbal commands" from friends or family -- especially my mother who can literally talk me to safety. I suppose you'd have to experience this to clearly understand, but I think even a person in 8+ hour mania, that's in contact with others, can be calmed/soothed, until help arrives.

I'm so sad for this young, brilliant, woman's life to end in this way.

MOO

This is the part of the article I'm referring to: “We talked to her for hours on and off” on Monday night, a family member also told the Mercury News. “Her thoughts were disconnected. She talked a mile a minute. She’d say I’m coming home for Thanksgiving, then in the next she was saying she’s in the Matrix.”

^^S/BBM

 

[3blue1pink]

It

Has it been hot enough there that someone who fell asleep in a car could die of hyperthermia?

was on the low 80’s here on Monday ... by sunset it’s down to 70ish

 

[3blue1pink]

I wonder if the family knew what friends she had been visiting in the area? Were they called to help locate her ? There are apps to locate people I used them on my kids phones ... usually it can narrow someone’s locale down to a few square blocks . It just seems so weird to apparently have no prior mental issues and just snap into what seems like an alternate existence.

 

[kay74]

I read something last night, upthread---about her recent 100 lb weight loss.

Was she taking diet pills? I felt pretty manic when I was taking them many years ago. My husband politely told me he'd rather have a curvy wife than a manic, upset, non-stop talkative one....

Now that really makes sense.

 

[otto]

Reportedly - EV was talking on the phone all night to friends, husband, mom, and even a police officer until her phone eventually died-- around midnight -- with all reporting she wasn't making sense.

It appears that the manic conversations began around 3:30 pm- telling her husband she was trying to find the airport.

I posted earlier that it seemed odd to me that after talking to so many people, she wasn't directed to get to hospital, stop and pull over, describe her surrounding, etc.

I'd been thinking about this from personal experience. I've had chronic migraines since childhood, and they can come on as quick as following a sneeze, or progressing through a typical aura cycle.

There have been many times I've found myself trying to beat the episode and get myself to pharmacy or ER, and would not have made it without "verbal commands" from friends or family -- especially my mother who can literally talk me to safety. I suppose you'd have to experience this to clearly understand, but I think even a person in 8+ hour mania, that's in contact with others, can be calmed/soothed, until help arrives.

I'm so sad for this young, brilliant, woman's life to end in this way.

MOO

^^S/BBM

Maybe, in her mind, she was making sense. Maybe she believed that the GPS was broken and she was fine. Maybe she thought the people she was talking to were not making sense. Maybe she didn't realize that 8 hours were gone because she was mentally racing. Maybe she took some kind of drug for whatever reason and didn't want anyone to know. Maybe she assumed that she could sleep it off and all would be well.

 

[Seattle1]

I wonder if the family knew what friends she had been visiting in the area? Were they called to help locate her ? There are apps to locate people I used them on my kids phones ... usually it can narrow someone’s locale down to a few square blocks . It just seems so weird to apparently have no prior mental issues and just snap into what seems like an alternate existence.

I think so. I believe EV had been in CA since end of September.

I think it was her last fb post around Sept 27 where she made a large font post that she was going to be in LA, SF, --"Anybody Around?" requesting to DM her.

 

[Seattle1]

I read something last night, upthread---about her recent 100 lb weight loss.

Was she taking diet pills? I felt pretty manic when I was taking them many years ago. My husband politely told me he'd rather have a curvy wife than a manic, upset, non-stop talkative one....

@Babylon Sister, with you expertise I was curious how you processed the information that was on the thread earlier today about EV recently losing 25 lbs?

We don't know how she accomplished this weight loss, but could weight loss perhaps impacted her system in some way such as perhaps processing glucose and possibly tie into the diabetes theories presented here etc.?

^^SBM

16 weeks ago - Instagram post/video citing "25 lbs down."

Recent video (fb I think) running around the Salt Flats --don't think weight loss was more.

MOO

 

[akazia1978]

I just was wondering if anyone had brought up the possibility of Serotonin Syndrome. This sounds a bit like it IMO MOO. That can be caused by a variety of combinations of legal/illegal drugs and can be fatal if not treated. Just considering all possibilities.

 

[ilovewings]

Mitrice Richardson in the Malibu Hills area of CA. Such a weird case.

I have never forgotten Mitrice Richardson--- there were so many blown
Opportunities that were not taken that could have saved her life--so heartbreaking

 

[MJPeony]

I’m wondering if benzodiazepines might have played a factor here. They are fairly common to be prescribed for people who might have some anxiety when they fly. One doesn’t necessarily need to have any significant “mental health” diagnosis to have an rx.

Benzos, when combined with certain other substances, have the potential to cause death. The heart rate can become so lowered that once a person goes to sleep their heart can just stop completely. Several celebrities have had this happen (ie. Philip Seymour Hoffman) and in general, my understanding is that benzos can play a frequent role in accidental drug overdoses. Particularly because they aren’t that uncommon, and not everyone who has the rx is aware of the potentially serious drug interactions.

I don’t think it explains the manic behavior prior, but I could imagine her having benzos on hand for the flight- and then at some point taking it to calm down/sleep. If she’d ingested something- intentionally or unintentionally- earlier in the day that induced mania, then the combination could have caused heart failure after she fell asleep.

Just another possible/potential scenario.

MOO.

 

[MsBetsy]

I just was wondering if anyone had brought up the possibility of Serotonin Syndrome. This sounds a bit like it IMO MOO. That can be caused by a variety of combinations of legal/illegal drugs and can be fatal if not treated. Just considering all possibilities.

According to her family she had no history of mental health issues, so she was probably not taking anti-depressants or any other psychotropic meds.
I've only heard of SSRI'S causing that condition, though. I'm not sure about any other drugs. Imo

 

[MsBetsy]

Missing Utah Woman Erin Valenti Found Dead in Car, Family Says
There is a disturbing comment in here from a family member she spoke to. It's weird because she has a FB post saying something similar. I'm leaning towards a substance issue based on this, and also because the tech world is semi notorious for using certain drugs to increase the amount of time one can work, focus etc.

This is the part of the article I'm referring to: “We talked to her for hours on and off” on Monday night, a family member also told the Mercury News. “Her thoughts were disconnected. She talked a mile a minute. She’d say I’m coming home for Thanksgiving, then in the next she was saying she’s in the Matrix.”

Adderall and similar drugs can sometimes lead to manic symptoms and even psychosis. Imo

 

[SuziQ]

I have never forgotten Mitrice Richardson--- there were so many blown
Opportunities that were not taken that could have saved her life--so heartbreaking

Btw, there is a new sheriff in town. And he has said he will reopen that case.

 

[PaulR]

Missing Utah Woman Erin Valenti Found Dead in Car, Family Says
There is a disturbing comment in here from a family member she spoke to. It's weird because she has a FB post saying something similar. I'm leaning towards a substance issue based on this, and also because the tech world is semi notorious for using certain drugs to increase the amount of time one can work, focus etc.

Yeah but that's more commonly modafinil (Provigil) or armodafinil.