Cause of Death Revealed for L.A. Mayoral Candidate’s Daughter, 22, After He Ended Campaign Over ‘Unimaginable Loss’

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has officially ruled the death of Emily Beutner, daughter of former mayoral candidate Austin Beutner, a suicide. The determination follows a months-long investigation into the January 6 incident that initially sparked a homicide inquiry.

According to a news release issued Friday, March 20, the 22-year-old died from the combined effects of mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, quetiapine, and mirtazapine.

The substances identified in the toxicology report highlight a mix of prescribed psychiatric medications and herbal compounds.

• Mirtazapine and Quetiapine: Standard pharmaceutical treatments for major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
• Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine: The primary active alkaloids found in kratom, a plant-based substance that produces opioid-like effects.

While the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Homicide Bureau initially assumed control of the case, officials noted at the time that such deployments are standard procedure for the unattended deaths of young individuals. The Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on January 15, but deferred the final cause of death pending the results of rigorous toxicological testing.

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The emergency began shortly after midnight on January 6 in Palmdale. LASD deputies responded to reports of a woman suffering a medical emergency on the side of a highway. Responders treated Beutner at the scene before transporting her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:02 a.m.

The tragedy led to a significant shift in the Los Angeles political landscape. On February 5, Austin Beutner—a prominent businessman and former LAUSD Superintendent—withdrew his candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles.

“My family has experienced the unimaginable loss of our beloved daughter Emily,” Beutner stated at the time of his withdrawal. “A successful campaign… requires someone who is committed 24/7 to the job. Family has always come first for me.”

Beutner was a junior studio arts major at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). University President Thomas Poon confirmed that the institution plans to honor her memory with a permanent plaque at the campus student memorial.

The Beutner family has requested continued privacy as they mourn the loss of the woman they described as “the light of our lives.”