Anthony Mata, 23, was rushed to the hospital early the morning of May 30 and died that evening, according to a spokesperson from San Francisco General Hospital. Mata was taken to the hospital after an apparent drug overdose while attending Electric Techno Disco Pop at the Cow Palace on May 29.
Mata worked in the service department at Piercey Toyota and is remembered by his coworkers.
“He worked in the quick lube. Cool kid, we went to a sports bar after work a few times,” said Jeremy Baum, a fellow employee.
An autopsy was complete Wednesday listing the cause of death “pending further study” while waiting for a toxicology test to return in approximately two weeks, said the San Mateo County coroner’s office.
Event organizer Skills DJ released a statement that the company is “terribly saddened” after “several attendees of POP2010 became ill after taking tainted illegal drugs,” said skills DJ owner Jason Sperling.
“One fatality is too many, and our company will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and the San Mateo County Health Service Agency.”
Over 60 “problem guests” were arrested by undercover narcotic agents at POP2010. Each year approximately 50 people are arrested for purchasing or intending to sell illegal narcotics at POP. In 2008, 58 arrests were made and a total of 1,041 ecstasy tablets were seized, along with ketamine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and over $5,000 in U.S. currency, according to a press release from the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force.
