The cause of the Air Force cadet’s death has been attributed to a rare bacterial infection

The 19-year-old U.S. Air Force Academy cadet found unconscious in her dorm room in early September died of a rare bacterial infection “associated with a toxic shock-like syndrome,” a coroner has announced.

Avery Koonce battled a cough before dying on September 4 in Colorado from “Paeniclostridium sordellii sepsis complicating parainfluenza laryngotracheobronchitis,” according to an El Paso County Coroner’s Office report obtained by Fox21 News.

Coroner Leon Kelly wrote in the report that Koonce had an abnormal fluid buildup in her left lung, along with the bacterium Paeniclostridium sordellii, which “can cause serious illness or death in a variety of clinical settings, including respiratory infection and sepsis,” according to the Colorado. Springs independent.

The bacteria “has been associated with a toxic shock-like syndrome that can rapidly lead to death,” and “It is likely that the bacterial infection was secondary to the parainfluenza infection… which resulted in… symptoms of severe cough and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and edema,” the newspaper quoted the report as saying.

US AIR FORCE ACADEMY CADET, 19, IS FOUND DEAD IN HER BEDROOM

Avery Koonce was found dead in her dorm room on Wednesday, the US Air Force Academy said. (US Air Force Academy)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes sepsis as “the body’s extreme response to an infection” that occurs “when an infection you already have causes a chain reaction throughout your body.”

The U.S. Air Force Academy said Koonce, a 19-year-old from Taylor, Texas, would graduate in 2028 and was a member of the women’s track and field team.

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A fighter jet is seen on the grounds of the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Educational Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

“We have lost an incredible teammate… Although Avery was only with us for a short time, she had a positive impact on her unit, her intercollegiate team and her class. Her loss will be felt throughout USAFA,” said Superintendent Lt. General Tony Bauernfeind of the Academy. time of Koonce’s death. “Our team is focused on providing support to Avery’s family, Cadet Squadron 38, the Track and Field team and the entire Academy family.”

Koonce attended Thrall High School, according to the Austin American-Statesman, which quoted the district’s superintendent as saying she was the student body president and leader of the National Honor Society.

Tusajigwe Owens demonstrates how to operate an air rifle before cadets participate in a training exercise at the US Air Force Academy in September 2023. (Reuters)

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U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, who nominated Koonce to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy outside Colorado Springs, also told the Austin American-Statesman that he was “incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of Cadet Koonce.”