Ecstasy use linked in death of Marine

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Affairs Writer

A 22-year-old Marine stationed in Kane'ohe died July 12 after using Ecstasy and LSD in what is believed to be the first military death in the Islands with a connection to the recreational drug Ecstacy.

Lance Cpl. Kristofer Villanueva died at Tripler Army Medical Center from an overdose of drugs, including Ecstasy and LSD, after attending a concert, or "rave," July 3 at Hawai'i Raceway Park, Honolulu Police Department and military officials said.

Villanueva, with the 1st Alpha Battery at Kane'ohe Bay, experienced kidney problems, liver failure and swelling of the brain, leading to his death, said his father, Cristino Villanueva.

Police said Villanueva became violent at the privately-organized rave, and security guards, emergency medical technicians and police officers had to team up to restrain him so he could be treated.

Tripler officials confirmed yesterday that Villanueva tested positive for Ecstasy and LSD.

Villanueva's death comes as local police and military officials say they are seeing a surge in use of recreational drugs, especially Ecstasy, which is easily available in clubs and at parties, and gives users a fast and exciting burst of energy without the addictive qualities of other drugs.

Villanueva said his son had never been into drugs and disliked cigarettes so much that he didn't even like to get a whiff of them. The same went for marijuana.

"I still don't believe he is a drug user," said Cristino Villanueva, a retired Air Force master sergeant from Florida, and he wonders if someone slipped Ecstasy or other drugs into one of his son's drinks. "I can't bring my son back, but if I can prevent it from happening to other people's children. ... My son's death, it gives some positive thing."

Although the use of Ecstasy has skyrocketed, deaths related to its use in Hawai'i have been rare.

The pathologist who performed the autopsy on Villanueva at Tripler is aware of no other Ecstasy-related military fatalities in Hawai'i, said Margaret Tippy, a hospital spokeswoman.

Honolulu Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kanthi Von Guenthner said there was a single civilian death related to Ecstasy in the past year. Another civilian death this month is suspected to be Ecstasy-related; toxicology results sent to the Mainland are expected to confirm this, Von Guenthner said.

National statistics for Ecstasy-related deaths and illnesses, meanwhile, are hard to come by. Tracking medical examiner's reports from select metropolitan areas, the federal Drug Abuse Warning Network noted nine Ecstasy deaths in 1998, the most recent year figures are available.

The use of Ecstasy, or MDMA, a chemical relative to methamphetamine used as an energy booster and mood intensifier, has jumped more than tenfold in the military in the last two years, prompting an all-out campaign of more random drug checks, more discharges and more education.

Civilian and military use of Ecstasy, also known as "E," or "X," have followed similar and sometimes intersecting paths.

Honolulu police Lt. Bill Kato said raves, or dance parties, crop up at vacant warehouses or other locations on O'ahu most weekends. Many involve the use of Ecstasy.

Kato recalled looking for a murder suspect at a Sand Island warehouse rave about a year ago and being shocked by what he witnessed, including a large military contingent at the party of 300 to 500 people.

Von Guenthner said Ecstasy increases heart rate, blood pressure and the possibility of dehydration. Like methamphetamine, the drug can cause hyperthermia, a life-threatening increase in body temperature leading to the failure of organs like the kidneys and liver.

Military investigation

Villanueva's death, like the two civilian deaths, involved multiple drugs, authorities say. But as Ecstasy use continues to rise, "we may come across (purely) Ecstasy deaths," Von Guenthner said.

Although the July 3 raceway rave was a civilian setting, the Navy's Criminal Investigation Service took on the investigation of Villanueva's death because the case involved a Marine, Honolulu police said.

Lt. Kent Robbins, base media officer at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, said yesterday a command investigation had been completed, but the results were unavailable.

Brig. Gen. R.E. Parker, the base's commanding general, is reviewing the report. A copy also will be provided to Villanueva's family. Villanueva's father said the military autopsy report is due in 60 days.

Kato said police were called to the raceway when Villanueva, who was with several other Marines, became unruly. Based on bruising Villanueva suffered, Honolulu police opened an assault investigation, but closed the case after determining the injuries were "superficial bruises and abrasions."

Emergency medical technicians and security officials said Villanueva became combative, Kato said.

"Everyone was kind of piled on top of him to restrain him from attacking the people trying to help him," Kato said.

Raceway representatives could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Villanueva initially was taken to St. Francis Medical Center West. Two days later, he was moved to Tripler.

Cristino Villanueva said he is frustrated because he has been told little of what happened that night, including information about the Marines his son was with, who have since shipped out to Okinawa.

The senior Villanueva, who headed home yesterday to Shalimar, Fla., said he wants a thorough investigation by both the military and police.

"Was he a voluntary user?" he asked. "When I suggested (looking into this) to investigators, they said, 'No, no, he is a user,' and it hurts. It seems like (they are saying), 'Let's get on with your life. He used drugs. He died. Period.' "

Reach William Cole at 525-5459 or wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.