The cause of death of the 19-year-old Air Force cadet who was mysteriously found dead in her bedroom has been revealed.
Avery Koonce, 19, of Texas, was discovered unconscious on September 4 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Despite first responders attempting to take life-saving measures, Koonce was pronounced dead at the scene.
But after a month-long investigation, the El Paso County Coroner’s Office was able to determine the cause of his death.
According to the autopsy report, Koonce died from a relatively rare but potentially deadly anaerobic bacteria called Paeniclostridium sordellii.
The cause of death of 19-year-old Avery Koonce, an Air Force cadet who was mysteriously found dead in her bedroom, has been revealed.
The bacteria caused sepsis in his lungs and worsened an existing respiratory infection, leading to his death.
Paeniclostridium sordellii is associated with a toxic shock syndrome that can progress rapidly to death. It was found in both his blood and lungs.
The report also stated that Koonce’s left lung “showed histological evidence of acute inflammation.” He had been battling a severe cough days before his death.
In other rare cases, the bacteria can also cause pneumonia, endocarditis, arthritis, peritonitis, myonecrosis and has a mortality rate of over 70 percent.
According to the Centers for disease controlThe source of the killer bacteria is “probably the vagina, which is known to be colonized with Clostridium species in some women.”
The track star’s death was deemed “natural” after the cause of his death was discovered.
According to the autopsy report, Koonce died from a relatively rare but potentially deadly anaerobic bacteria called Paeniclostridium sordellii.
The bacteria caused sepsis in his lungs and worsened an existing respiratory infection, leading to his death.
In a heartbreaking statement following Koonce’s death, her parents Eric and Kelly described their daughter as “an incredibly bright light in this broken world.”
Her obituary said: ‘Avery was much loved. Avery, in turn, loved life and others very much. She lived life with passion, being a friend to everyone she met.
‘Avery had a way of connecting with people and had a smile that would brighten anyone’s day. You only had to meet Avery for a few minutes for her to make a lasting impression on you.
Koonce is a 2024 graduate of Thrall High School in Taylor, Texas, and enrolled in the Air Force Academy shortly after graduating, he reports. CBS News.
The track star’s death was deemed “natural” after the cause of his death was discovered.
Koonce is a 2024 graduate of Thrall High School in Taylor, Texas, and enrolled in the Air Force Academy shortly after graduation.
The 19-year-old was a talented athlete on the Air Force academy track team and often shared her athletic achievements on social media, including an impressive 100-meter record of 12.12 seconds.
Following news of his death, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, paid tribute to his athletic achievements and the positive impact he had on his academy.
“Last night we lost an incredible teammate; although she was only with us for a short time, Avery made a positive impact on her unit, her intercollegiate team and her class; her loss will be felt throughout USAFA,” Bauernerfeind said.
“Our team is focused on supporting Avery’s family, the 38th Cadet Squadron, the track team and the entire Academy family.”
The 19-year-old was a talented athlete on the Air Force academy track team and often shared her athletic achievements on social media, including an impressive 100-meter record of 12.12 seconds.
In a heartbreaking statement following Koonce’s death, her parents Eric and Kelly described their daughter as “an incredibly bright light in this broken world.”
In a statement released through the academy, Koonce’s parents shared their grief over the loss of their young daughter.
“Our lives will always be diminished due to his absence,” the statement said.
‘Avery is truly loved by many. We have peace knowing that Avery is in the arms of her Heavenly Father and we will be with her again.
‘Avery was not a perfect person, but she was a perfect daughter. Loving her siblings and learning to live with the loss of Avery is our only goal right now.
‘We are beyond blessed for the 19 incredible years we were able to call Avery ours. “We are praying for all those who are enduring the incredible darkness of their loss.”
