A female United States citizen identified as Levis (40) died in Paquera District, in the Nicoya Peninsula.

According to a Red Cross Accidents Monitor Department report, the rescue crew got a 911 call about a woman who was experiencing serious health problems while staying at a hotel.

Levis was unresponsive when paramedics arrived at the place. She was declared clinically dead at the scene.

Forensic doctors, from the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ), took the woman's body to the Judicial Morgue Hospital located in Heredia.

An inquiry is being conducted into this particular case since the woman died of sudden cardiac arrest, according to information provided by the OIJ to local media.

Judicial investigators are looking into whether the hotel where she stayed, allegedly offers ibogaine treatments to guests and if she was a victim of that substance overdose.

As this is an ongoing investigation, the agents will maintain the confidentiality of all related information. Only relatives of the victim are authorized to request further details from the authorities.

Ibogaine is a psychoactive indole alkaloid obtained by extraction from the Tabernanthe iboga plant.

Neither ibogaine nor its derivatives are authorized for consumption or marketing in Costa Rica, stated the Ministry of Health.

Ibogaine is categorized as a restricted drug by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and it is not licensed for any therapeutic application due to its hallucinogenic, neurotoxic, and cardiovascular adverse effects, as well as a lack of safety and effectiveness data in human subjects.

According to the U.S. Embassy, in situations resulting in the death of a U.S. citizen the Consular Section can assist depending upon whether a deceased U.S. citizen was accompanied by family and whether he/she was a visitor to Costa Rica or was residing here.

"The Consular Section can provide information on funeral homes that will arrange for local burials or prepare remains for shipment to a designated location in the United States," said the embassy in its statement. "The Consular Section will also issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad, which serves as a death certificate in the United States for probate and other legal purposes."


The Embassy does not provide funds to pay for the funeral, repatriation, or burial expenses of Americans who die abroad.


Also, families of the deceased do not necessarily have to travel to Costa Rica to make decisions and arrangements regarding the disposition of remains. "U.S. Embassy representatives can act on behalf of the family in working with local authorities and service providers in many cases," they added.


Individuals interested in more information about U.S. Embassy support in Costa Rica should contact them by calling 506-2519-2590 or 506-2519-2093. For after-hours or weekend emergencies phone line is available at 506- 2519-2000.

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