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Cooper Noriega, a prominent TikTok star who tragically passed away, battled co-occurring disorders (COD), encompassing mental health conditions and substance use issues. Launched in 2013, The Harris Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to COD prevention and treatment, partnered with Us Weekly to present The Missing Issue. This special edition highlighted celebrity narratives of individuals navigating COD. We revisit past coverage featuring some of these individuals, including Noriega.
This story originally appeared on usmagazine.com on June 10, 2022:
ORIGINAL REPORT: TikTok Sensation Cooper Noriega’s Untimely Death at 19 Following Ominous Video
[Full original story available.]
UPDATE: Cooper Noriega’s Cause of Death: Fentanyl Poisoning Confirmed After Struggle with Co-Occurring Disorders
Social media personality Cooper Noriega was discovered deceased in a Burbank, California, parking area on June 9, 2022, shortly before his 20th birthday. A subsequent report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, released six months later, determined the cause of Noriega’s death to be the “combined effects” of fentanyl with alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam, medications prescribed for anxiety and sleep disturbances. The report also identified “recent clonazepam use,” another anxiety medication known as Klonopin, as a “significant condition,” as reported by NBC News. Initially classified as an accidental overdose, his death is now being investigated as fentanyl poisoning.
The investigative findings and the medical examiner’s report corroborated Noriega’s public disclosures to his extensive social media following of over 1.7 million – his personal battle with mental health issues. The presence of prescribed medications in his system indicated attempts to manage anxiety through pharmaceuticals. In November 2023, a federal indictment charged six individuals with multiple felonies, including money laundering, controlled substance distribution, and distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death due to “fatal fentanyl overdose.” Harold and Treva Noriega, Cooper’s parents, alongside his sister Parker, expressed their gratitude in a November 22, 2023, Instagram post for the “incredible work” leading to the arrests of those “responsible for the fentanyl poisoning death of our beloved son, Cooper Noriega.” The trial for the accused is anticipated to commence in August 2025.
Noriega, along with his family, was acutely aware of his struggles with co-occurring disorders. Though not explicitly named, he frequently addressed substance abuse, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, including a past suicide attempt. His parents sought professional help, enrolling him in treatment programs. Noriega openly discussed aspects of his recovery journey, highlighting both beneficial and detrimental elements.
Insights into Cooper Noriega’s Battle with Co-Occurring Disorders
Key moments from his journey with COD illuminate the challenges faced by the model and influencer.
Overcoming a Suicide Attempt and Aspiring to Open a Recovery Center
Noriega publicly disclosed a past suicide attempt stemming from his personal battles, but also shared his path to sobriety. In a January 2021 X post, he announced, “90 days clean!! [It’s] been challenging yet filled with immense beauty. It’s surreal that just [four] months prior, [I] was at my lowest point, experiencing a near-fatal overdose/suicide attempt involving fent[anyl], ceasing to breathe and being rushed to the emergency room. Thankfully, someone discovered me in time :).”
During a February 2022 “The Good Boys” podcast episode, Noriega revealed being sent to a wilderness therapy program around age 15, followed by residential treatment. He also mentioned being prescribed Xanax in childhood due to a fear of flying.
By age 13, marijuana use began, escalating to a “really bad” state by 14, according to Noriega. Following an overdose at 15, he recounted being forcibly taken to a wilderness camp in Utah. Initially terrified and experiencing a “mental breakdown,” he stated that after several months at the camp, he felt motivated to “do better,” finding the experience significantly “helpful.”
However, Noriega felt his progress from wilderness therapy was undone during residential rehabilitation. He alleged widespread drug abuse within the facility without proper intervention, and described some staff members as unhelpful and “corrupt.” Upon discharge, he admitted, “I used more drugs than ever.”
Shortly before his death, Noriega spoke about launching his own rehabilitation facility—a secure environment for individuals to openly discuss their mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of trustworthy staff.
Noriega aimed to reassure others facing similar mental health struggles that they were not isolated. He established a communication platform described as “Discord for mental health strictly.” In a June 2022 Instagram post, he detailed his intentions: “One significant lesson from my addiction struggle is the detrimental impact of negative influences. This Discord server is designed to unite us, creating a safe space for venting and mutual support through difficult times.”
Finding Strength and a ‘Moment of Clarity’
At 18, Noriega endured a particularly “crazy week of drugs,” involving Xanax, cocaine, ketamine, and various opioids, as he shared in “The Good Boys” podcast. “It was extremely severe.”
A crucial “moment of clarity” prompted his desire to stop. “I couldn’t do it for myself,” he admitted. “I had to do it for my parents.”
Noriega chose to quit “cold turkey,” informing podcast hosts Toddy Smith and Brett Bassock about his complete sobriety. “It’s been a significant period since I’ve touched any hard drugs,” he stated. “I’ve learned to understand my emotions effectively. My emotional intelligence is quite developed for a 19-year-old.”
Continuing Legacy and Mental Health Advocacy
Noriega’s family actively maintains the Discord channel he initiated – Coop’s Advice Discord – and launched the “Coop’s Advice Podcast,” amassing over six thousand YouTube subscribers. Harold and Treva Noriega have appeared on the podcast, discussing their son and emphasizing the critical need for enhanced mental health support and advocacy.
“He was incredibly silly and humorous,” his mother, Treva, recalled. “He was always laughing.” Both parents emphatically agreed on the insufficiency of current mental health support and treatment options.
“For physical ailments, we seek doctors or specialists,” Cooper’s father, Harold, noted. “Mental health still carries stigma. Grief, suffering, and mental health issues are uniquely experienced. Substantial progress is essential. A massive amount.”
“[Cooper’s] message was: ‘It’s acceptable to have these feelings.’ We are expanding resources on the Discord [channel], aiming to better support individuals struggling with mental health [issues] and addiction. If we can positively impact even one young person, it’s a success.”
The Noriegas underscored the vital need to raise awareness regarding co-occurring disorders: mental health and substance use. “This is a widespread crisis,” Treva stated. “It demands everyone’s urgent attention.”
Their focus is to provide hope through their son’s memory. “Cooper’s life could have been saved…recovery might have been just around the corner,” Harold reflected. “One never knows.”
The Missing Issue can be purchased for $8.99 at https://magazineshop.us/harrisproject.
If you or someone you know is grappling with mental health challenges or substance use, know that support is available. Immediate help is crucial — dial 911 for emergencies; 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; or 1-800-662-HELP for the SAMHSA National Helpline. Naloxone (Narcan) can be life-saving in opioid overdose situations.