Spring Grove woman dies after taking synthetic drug "SASS"

Lake County Sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a 21-year-old Spring Grove woman pronounced dead about 24 hours after she ingested a synthetic drug known as "SASS," authorities said.

Cristina Villasana was admitted to Vista Freestanding Emergency Center in Lindenhurst at approximately 2 a.m. Tuesday, authorities said, then transferred to Vista East Hospital in Waukegan.

She was pronounced dead at 7:52 p.m. at Vista East, authorities said.

Sheriff's police said witnesses told investigators that Villasana ingested "SASS" at 10:30 p.m. Monday. SASS is a form of Ecstasy (MDMA) made from the sassafras plant, authorities said.

It is believed that false information provided by the people who drove Villasana to the hospital hampered the initial investigation, according to the sheriff's office.

Lake County Sheriff's Office investigators are working with the Lake County States Attorney's Office to identify the person or persons that supplied the "SASS" to Villasana.