Cadet 4th Class Avery Koonce, of Taylor, Texas, was found unconscious in her dormitory on Sept. 4, 2024, according to the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force)
(Tribune News Service) — Air Force Academy Cadet Avery Koonce died of natural causes in early September on campus.
An autopsy from the El Paso County Coroner’s Office shows the 19-year-old died of sepsis that complicated a respiratory infection. The bacteria found in her lung tissue and blood is associated with a toxic shock syndrome that can progress rapidly to death. She was found in her dorm and did not respond to life-saving measures.
Prior to her death, Koonce had a history of a chronic cough that recently had severely worsened, the report said.
Mourners wearing pink filled Thrall High School stadium in Texas to remember the Air Force Academy freshman earlier this month. At the ceremony, Air Force Academy cadets presented her parents, Eric and Kelly Koonce, with her track shoes, The Taylor Press reported. She was a Thrall High School track star who placed second at the 2A state meet in the 100-meter dash and fourth in pole vault.
About 100 cadets traveled to Texas to attend her memorial and funeral service, the Air Force Academy Superintendent Gen. Tony Bauernfeind said on Instagram.
In her obituary, she was remembered as a fiery competitor who competed in cross country, powerlifting, and track and field teams. She was also a tuba player in the marching band and a captain of the color guard team. Her senior year, she was a varsity cheerleader.
“Avery’s grit and commitment were noticed by her teammates, which led to her being the driving force on any team that she was a part of, encouraging her teammates with a stern but loving demeanor. Avery was a role model for both the young and old alike,” her obituary read.
Parents remember Air Force Academy cadet who died on campus as ‘a perfect daughter’
The parents of an Air Force Academy freshman who died earlier this week remembered her Saturday as “a perfect daughter.”
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