The cause of death for the 19-year-old Air Force cadet who was found unconscious in her dorm room has been disclosed.
Avery Koonce, from Tyler, Texas, tragically passed away on September 4 in her dorm room at Colorado Springs Air Force Academy, as reported by ABC News.
First responders arrived at the scene and attempted to resuscitate her but were unsuccessful.
The teenager was a member of the academy’s class of 2028 and part of the school’s women’s track and field team.
Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, the academy's superintendent, issued a tribute statement that read: “We lost an incredible teammate last night – while only with us for a short time, Avery positively impacted her unit, her intercollegiate team, and her class – her loss will be felt across USAFA," per CBS News.
The academy also released a statement from Koonce's bereaved parents, Eric and Kelly Koonce.
"Our daughter Cadet Avery Koonce was an incredible bright light in this broken world. Our lives will forever be diminished because of her absence. Avery is truly loved by so many. We have peace in the knowledge Avery is in the arms of her Heavenly Father and we will be with her again," they wrote.
"Avery was not a perfect person but was a perfect daughter. Loving on her brothers and learning how to live with Avery's loss is our only focus right now. We are beyond blessed for the 19 amazing years we got to call Avery ours. We are praying for all of those that are bearing the incredible darkness of her loss," the family concluded.
After a month-long investigation, it's been revealed that Koonce passed away from “paeniclostridium sordelli sepsis complicating parainfluenza laryngotraceobronchitis,” per an autopsy report from the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, The New York Post reported.
“In essence, she died of untreated pneumonia,” forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, the former chief medical examiner of NYC, told the outlet.
Paeniclostridium sordelli was described as a “relatively rare but potentially fatal anaerobic bacteria” that is “associated with a toxic shock-like syndrome that can rapidly progress to death.”
According to the report, the bacteria was discovered in both her blood and lungs.
The report noted that the first-year cadet's left lung "exhibited histologic evidence of acute inflammation," per Daily Mail. She had been fighting a painful cough days before her death.
Baden said the bacteria “could have been treated with penicillin” and the virus could have been managed with fluids and antibodies. While the report states that the teen's chronic cough got worse, Baden said it still "was a curable situation with antibiotics".
The 19-year-old was a talented athlete at the Air Force Academy and often shared her achievements on social media.
Texas Rep. Pete Sessions, who nominated Koonce for the U.S. Air Force Academy, remembered her as an "exceptional leader" who dreamed of becoming a pilot.
"I was incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of USAFA Cadet Avery Koonce," Sessions said. "It was my honor to nominate Cadet Koonce to the US Air Force Academy where she had begun her studies, planning to major in biology and minor in kinesiology with hopes of becoming a pilot physical therapist."
Our thoughts are with Koonce's loved ones.
