Autopsy Results Released for Brian Nestande

Cause of Brian Nestande’s Death Released in Autopsy Results

PALM DESERT — The slow-rolled autopsy results of former state Assemblymember Brian Nestande, who had the good looks and charm of the blue-eyed All-American boy next door, show that the cause of his death on March 6 was “multiple substance intoxication (Fentanyl and cocaine), according to the autopsy report.

“Toxicology testing identified a designer form of fentanyl and a cocaine metabolite in his blood,” Dr. Scott A. Luzi, a contract forensic pathologist, wrote in the autopsy report. “Autopsy identified an enlarged heart with significant narrowing of his coronary arteries and changes in his kidneys consistent with chronic hypertension, which may have contributed to his death. The mechanism of death involves cardiac arrhythmia.”

Steven Hernandez, mayor of Coachella and chief of staff to Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, found Nestande unresponsive at his home in the 73000 block of Vermeer Way in Palm Desert, according to the report, Hernandez had seen Nestande alive three days prior at breakfast with friends. Hernandez said he “acted normal.” On May 6, Hernandez and his friends were at lunch and shared with each other that they had not heard from Nestande in a few days and went to his house to check on him. The front door was locked. They went to the back yard, found one of the back sliding doors unlocked and entered the residence, according to the report.

Hernandez located Nestande unresponsive on the floor and called 911.Paramedics responded and confirmed Nestande dead at 2:10 p.m. There were no signs of suicide or overdose. The death has been ruled an accident.

There was an unopened bottle of vodka in the refrigerator and seltzer. Nestande was in the foyer area near the front entrance of the house which seemed to be functioning as an office. The top of the desk was covered in paperwork and office supplies. There was a clear cup containing red liquid on the desk as well as an electronic cigarette next to a laptop. Nestande was on the floor.

In his shirt pocket was a pill, Modafinil, which is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or shift work sleep disorder.

At the residence, Losartan pills from Mexico were found, according to the report. Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure.

In 2022, he reported raising $65,000 to run for a vacant seat on the College of the Desert Board of Trustees. Turns out he                       wasn’t eligible because he did not live in District 4.

Friends and associates close to Nestande said he was planning next to run for the seat on the Palm Desert City Council when the term of his wife, Gina Nestande, expires.