Charlbi Dean's cause of death has been determined by a coroner after her tragic passing.
On August 29, TMZ reported that the South African actress - best known for her recurring role as Syonidein in the DC Comics series Black Lightning - died from an unexpected and sudden illness at the age of 32.
At the time, the cause of death for the actress - whose full name is Charlbi Dean Kriek - was not revealed in media reports.
However, a spokesperson for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner has now confirmed to People on December 21 that Dean passed away from bacterial sepsis.
The spokesperson told the publication that the sepsis "was a complication from asplenia" (the absence of a spleen) due to "remote blunt trauma to her torso".
A New York City Medical Examiner explained that Dean's bacterial sepsis came about after she was infected with bacteria known as Capnocytophaga.
According to the CDC, there are different species of Capnocytophaga that form in the mouths of humans. In addition to this, people who have autoimmune issues and those without spleens are particularly sensitive to rare infections.
While Dean's death has been ruled an accident, it is uncertain if an animal lick or bite was the cause for her infections as the medical examiner has not made her full autopsy public.
Days after the Spud actress suddenly passed away, her brother Alex Jacobs revealed to Rolling Stone that her death happened after she began experiencing "minor" symptoms.
After feeling faint, the model asked her fiancé, Luke Volker, to take her to the emergency room, but she tragically died just hours later.
"This happened literally within the span of a day: getting a headache, going to sleep, waking up her boyfriend and saying please take me to the hospital," Jacobs told the publication at the time.
"We still aren't entirely sure [what happened]," the brother said. "There's an autopsy being done which we know might take quite a while. But what we have heard [that] there was a viral infection in her lungs."
Jacobs also disclosed to the outlet that his sister was involved in a "very, very bad car accident" around 2009, after which doctors removed her spleen. She also suffered broken ribs and a broken back in the accident.
"[The spleen is] involved in fighting off infections, and that could have had something to do with what happened," Jacobs said. "Her spleen not being there just added on to the reason why she perhaps couldn't fight it off."
After her death, Dean's partner, Volker, posted a video on his social media to express gratitude for messages he received after the death of his fiancée.
"Hi, everyone. I wanted to just post a picture of Charlbi, but it's a bit hard," the model said. "And just wanted to let you know I see all your messages, all the love, and I appreciate it. I really do. It's just I can't really reply to them right now. But thank you, guys. I appreciate it. I love you."
Our thoughts continue to be with Dean's family, friends and fans at this time.
