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Coroner Rules Guido's Employee Hemorrhaged to Death

Cause Was Critical Lung Infection and Problems from Treated TB

BY ANNE SOBLE

On Wednesday, June 20, the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner issued a press release stating that the final cause of death for Carlos Ivan Rodas, the 32-year-old Guido's kitchen employee who collapsed in a pool of blood outside the restaurant on March 18, was determined to be "hemorrhage from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and sequelae of cavitary tuberculosis (treated)."

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a serious infection by the aspergillosis fungus that can affect any human organ. The lungs are a prime target. Medical descriptions note that people with weakened lungs and compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to this kind of infection, which is said to not be contagious.

Sequelae of tuberculosis are physical abnormalities and unspecified secondary effects of that disease, which the DOC report indicates had been treated.

Family and friends have been quoted as describing Rodas being in good health, but early statements by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department had made reference to the possibility of a respiratory infection being a factor in the sudden and ostensibly inexplicable death.

The DOC deferred a ruling on a cause of death for Rodas for over three months while major lab work and neuropathological analysis was underway, including brain tissue analysis.

The manner of death is technically categorized as natural. The report states, "No trauma was noted and foul play is not suspected."

It adds that post-mortem cultures for tuberculosis were negative, which further reduces the risk of there being a TB contagion issue.

The Malibu Surfside News is requesting an official statement about the potential for any public health concerns from the causes that led Rodas to hemorrhage so dramatically that some witnesses thought he might have been severely beaten by an assailant.

No prescription or illicit drugs were detected in Rodas' system.

The DOC statement indicates the department anticipates that the final coroner report will be available for release within two weeks. The News will follow up with any additional information when the final report becomes available.