Avery Koonce: The sad story behind her illness and death

Avery Koonce was a standout athlete at her Texas high school, setting impressive records in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes.

Her passion for running led her to the Air Force Academy, where she joined the women’s track and field team. Tragically, at just 19 years old, she can no longer experience the adrenaline and freedom that come with the sport she loved.

Her untimely death has left her family, friends, and the entire Air Force Academy community heartbroken.

On September 4, 2024, emergency first responders arrived to the dorm room of Air Force Academy freshman Avery Koonce in Colorado Springs.

What they encountered was nothing short of heartbreaking — 19-year-old Avery lay lifeless, and despite all efforts to revive her, it was too late. She was declared dead at the scene, with no visible signs of trauma to explain her tragic fate.

According to CBS News, it was fellow cadets who first had discovered Avery unconscious in her dormitory. An investigation was swiftly initiated to provide answers to her devastated family and friends.

Cause of death

The autopsy conducted by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office revealed a tragic truth. Avery had succumbed to complications from pneumonia.

The New York Post reported that the cause of death was ”paeniclostridium sordelli sepsis complicating parainfluenza laryngotracheobronchitis” — a serious bacterial infection that arose following a viral infection in her lungs.

According to Wikipeida, Paeniclostridium sordelli is a rare anaerobic bacterium known for causing a toxic shock-like syndrome.

Avery’s situation was further complicated by an acute viral lower respiratory tract infection, and according to People, the Air Force Academy freshman had been suffering from a severe cough in the days leading up to her passing.

Tragically, this heartbreaking loss may have been preventable. IBT spoke with forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, who stated that antibiotic treatment could have made a significant difference if her condition had been recognized earlier.

The bacteria responsible for the sepsis developed as a secondary infection, exploiting the weakness in her immune system caused by the viral infection.

Shocked everyone

The bacteria was found in her blood and her left lung.

”In essence, she died of untreated pneumonia,” Dr. Baden explained, noting that the combination of the viral lung infection and bacterial sepsis likely resulted in symptoms such as coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing prior to her death.

It appears that Avery may not have fully grasped the seriousness of her condition, leading to this tragic outcome.

Her untimely passing shocked everyone who knew her. Just beginning her freshman year at the Air Force Academy, she had recently graduated from Thrall High School in Texas. Described as a dedicated and ambitious student, Avery excelled in cheerleading, powerlifting, band, and cross country, maintaining impressive grades.

She had dreams of majoring in biology and minoring in kinesiology, aspiring to become a physical therapist for pilots.

A memorial service was held on September 12 at Tiger Stadium in Thrall, attended by around 100 of Avery’s Air Force Academy classmates who traveled from Colorado to Texas to pay their respects

”We lost an incredible teammate,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, USAFA Superintendent, highlighting Avery’s profound impact on her squadron, track team, and class, despite her brief time at the academy.

Avery’s family, shattered by her sudden departure, also released an emotional statement through the academy: ”Our daughter, Cadet Avery Koonce, was an incredibly 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. 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.”

As we remember Avery, let us celebrate her passion, her ambition, and the bright light she brought into the lives of those around her. Her vibrant spirit and dedication to her dreams touched the lives of many, from her classmates at the Air Force Academy to her family and friends back home in Thrall.

Rest in peace, Avery!