19-year-old US Air Force Academy cadet Avery Koonce was found unresponsive in her dormitory in early September 2024.
According to the academy, first responders are called to the scene but were unable to revive her.
“We lost an incredible teammate last night,” academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind said in a post shared on the social media. “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. Our team is focused on providing support to Avery’s family, Cadet Squadron 38, the Track and Field team, and the entire Academy family.”
According to an autopsy report from the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, Koonce died of “paeniclostridium sordelli sepsis complicating parainfluenza laryngotraceobronchitis,” the New York Post reported.
“In essence she died of untreated pneumonia,” forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, who reviewed the autopsy report, told the publication.
The bacteria triggered sepsis in her lungs and intensified a preexisting respiratory infection, ultimately leading to her death, Daily Mail reported.
Paeniclostridium sordellii is known to cause a toxic shock syndrome that can advance rapidly and become fatal. The organism was detected in both her bloodstream and her lungs.
The report further noted that Koonce’s left lung “exhibited histologic evidence of acute inflammation.” She had been struggling with a severe cough in the days before her tragic passing.
In other uncommon instances, this bacteria can also lead to pneumonia, endocarditis, arthritis, peritonitis, and myonecrosis, and it carries a mortality rate exceeding 70 percent.
Koonce graduated from Thrall High School and was a member of the Air Force class of 2028 as well as part of the academy’s women’s track and field team.
She is remembered as an “exceptional leader” and “talented athlete” whose dream was to become a pilot.
“I was incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of USAFA Cadet Avery Koonce,” Texas Rep. Pete Sessions, who nominated her for the U.S. Air Force Academy, said in a statement. “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.”
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