FDA: Five Deaths Linked to Monster Energy Drinks

CORONA, Calif. -- Five people have died in the last three years after drinking Monster Energy, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) incident reports.

However, the reports did not prove a direct link between the deaths and the popular caffeinated energy drinks. Nor do the FDA reports state if alcohol or drugs were involved in the deaths.

The information came to light after Wendy Crossland, the mother of a 14-year-old teenager who died in December from a heart arrhythmia after consuming large amounts of Monster Energy drinks on two consecutive days, filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain more information.

Last week, Crossland filed a lawsuit against Monster Energy that states the energy drink maker did not warn consumers about the risks of its energy drinks.

But Judy Lin Stefcu, spokeswoman for Corona, Calif.-based Monster Energy, told the New York Times its products were safe and not the cause of the teen's death. She added she was "unaware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its drinks."

The uncertainty caused Monster Energy's stock to plummet by 14 percent yesterday. The stock was down an additional 8 percent on the NASDAQ stock market this morning.

According to the Times, the possible link between the deaths and energy drinks could increase Congressional requests to regulate the energy drink industry.

Monster Energy has plenty of competition in the energy drink space, including Red Bull and Rock Star, as well energy shot manufacturers.