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Hilda Marcela Cabrales: Architect's American dream tragically cut short

March 26, 2025 / 04:37

This episode covers the tragic story of Hilda Marcela Cabraales, a 26-year-old architect who moved from Mexico to Los Angeles for her dream job in interior design. It discusses her close friendships, her sudden health crisis, and the circumstances surrounding her overdose.

Hilda's best friend recalls her excitement about moving to LA and how she was determined to succeed. Friends Fernanda Kasani and Alan Bettincourt share memories of her vibrant personality and love for life, including her dog Tomas.

After a night out, Hilda and her friend Christy Giles suffered drug overdoses, leading to Hilda being placed on life support. Toxicology reports indicated a dangerous mix of drugs in her system, raising suspicions among her loved ones.

As Hilda's family rushed to her side, they faced the heartbreaking reality of her condition. The episode highlights the family's decision to donate her organs and the emotional farewell they had with her.

Friends in Monterey held a memorial for Hilda, celebrating her life with music and dance, reflecting on the joy she brought to those around her.

TLDR

Hilda Marcela Cabraales's tragic overdose leads to a heartfelt memorial and questions about her last night in LA.

Episode

4:37
00:00:00
Hilda Marcela Cabraales was a 26-year-old architect who moved from Mexico to Los Angeles to start her dream
00:00:07
job in interior design. Do you remember when she said she wanted to go to Los Angeles? And how did you feel when she
00:00:14
told you that? I feel very happy for her but very sad for me because we we are very close. No one was surprised that
00:00:24
the kumlady graduate of the prestigious university in Monterey, Mexico, was thriving in LA. I was Marcela's best
00:00:32
friend. She was looking for the American dream. I guess Fernanda Kasani and Alan
00:00:38
Bettincourt, who called her Marcella or Marseilles, were two of her closest friends in Monteray. She was very
00:00:44
determined. She also knew how to have a good time. She loved to dance. She loved to dress
00:00:52
up. Every single person that met her loved loved Marcela, including her dog, a Wymer runner named
00:01:02
Tomas. Hilda left him with Allan when she moved to LA. She planned a call for him after she got her bearings. That
00:01:08
call never came. 4 months after moving to LA, Hilda was in a coma, fighting for her life. Her frantic parents and sister
00:01:16
Fernanda raced to her side. I received the phone call in the middle of the night saying that she was so ill. She
00:01:26
was very bad. She was uh intubated. And I thought when we are there things will change. She will she will wake up.
00:01:38
Hilda and her friend Christy Giles had both suffered a drug overdose. Toxicology reports revealed that she had
00:01:45
cocaine, ecstasy, and elevated levels of fentinyl in her system. But her friends
00:01:50
and family were sure that this healthconscious young woman would never have willingly taken such a toxic
00:01:56
cocktail of drugs. When you heard overdose, you immediately thought drugged. Yeah, drugged. I was sure
00:02:04
someone did this to her. Hilda and her friend Christy were enjoying a night out in LA and had attended a warehouse party
00:02:11
after midnight. The next day, Christy and Hilda were both dumped at different hospitals in LA, clinging to their
00:02:18
lives. And then like obviously all our alarm bells are going off in our heads when both girls are dropped off at two
00:02:24
different hospitals 2 hours apart. Like something terrible happened that night. Hospital staff told investigators a
00:02:31
black Prius without license plates pulled up to the ER entrance and said they found Hilda passed out on the curb
00:02:38
somewhere nearby and left without providing their names or phone numbers. Barry Telus, an LAPD homicide detective
00:02:45
and CBS News consultant, said nothing about the story made sense. He just dropped somebody off and said, "Hey, by
00:02:52
the way, we're driving down the street. We found this girl passed out on the sidewalk." As police investigated, Hilda
00:02:58
spent two weeks on life support. Hilda, what were your final moments with your daughter?
00:03:04
They were so hard, you know, and I just was asking God to not let her suffer more.
00:03:15
I told her, "Maybe when I pass away, I will see you again and I give you a big hug, a kiss."
00:03:30
The family decided to donate Hilda's organs. Her mom remembers the hospital staff lining the halls as the family
00:03:37
accompanied Hilda to the O. The medical team was clapping to honor her, to say thank you
00:03:46
for giving life to others. Hilda Marcela Cabraales was pronounced dead one day before her 27th birthday. Back in
00:03:54
Monterey, Mexico, her friends gathered to remember her, all dressed in white at her favorite park. We brought her
00:04:01
favorite thing to drink and her favorite cake. At first we were crying, but at some
00:04:10
point we put her favorite music on and we just start dancing and we we were laughing and hugging and it was
00:04:21
beautiful. I felt like she was there. [Music]

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 90
    Most heartbreaking
  • 85
    Most shocking
  • 80
    Most emotional
  • 80
    Most intense

Episode Highlights

  • Hilda's Dream
    Hilda Marcela Cabraales moved to LA to pursue her dream in interior design.
    “She was looking for the American dream.”
    @ 00m 32s
    March 26, 2025
  • Tragic Overdose
    Hilda and her friend suffered a drug overdose, leading to a tragic turn of events.
    “I was sure someone did this to her.”
    @ 02m 04s
    March 26, 2025
  • A Heartfelt Goodbye
    Hilda's family donated her organs, honored by the medical staff as she passed.
    “The medical team was clapping to honor her, to say thank you for giving life to others.”
    @ 03m 42s
    March 26, 2025
  • Celebrating Hilda
    Friends gathered in Monterey to remember Hilda, dancing and laughing in her honor.
    “I felt like she was there.”
    @ 04m 21s
    March 26, 2025

Episode Quotes

  • I feel very happy for her but very sad for me.
    Hilda Marcela Cabrales: Architect's American dream tragically cut short
  • I told her, 'Maybe when I pass away, I will see you again.'.
    Hilda Marcela Cabrales: Architect's American dream tragically cut short
  • At first we were crying, but at some point we put her favorite music on.
    Hilda Marcela Cabrales: Architect's American dream tragically cut short

Key Moments

  • American Dream00:35
  • Tragic Turn01:11
  • Final Moments03:00
  • Celebration of Life03:59

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