Avery Koonce was an exceptional athlete at her high school in Texas, where she set impressive records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints.
Her love for running led her to the Air Force Academy, where she joined the women’s track and field team. Tragically, at only 19 years old, she was no longer able to experience the thrill and freedom of the sport she so deeply cherished.
Her sudden passing has left a profound void, leaving her family, friends, and the entire Air Force Academy community devastated.
On September 4, 2024, emergency responders were called to the dormitory of Avery Koonce, a freshman at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Posted by Avery Koonce on Thursday, September 7, 2023
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 uncovered a heartbreaking reality. Avery’s death was caused by complications from pneumonia.
The New York Post reported that the official cause of death was “paeniclostridium sordelli sepsis complicating parainfluenza laryngotracheobronchitis”—a severe bacterial infection that developed following a viral infection in her lungs.
According to Wikipedia, Paeniclostridium sordelli is a rare anaerobic bacterium known to cause a toxic shock-like syndrome.
Avery’s condition was further aggravated by an acute viral lower respiratory tract infection. In the days before her passing, People reported that the Air Force Academy freshman had been struggling with a severe cough.
Tragically, this devastating loss may have been preventable. In an interview with IBT, forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden suggested that earlier antibiotic treatment could have significantly altered the outcome had her condition been recognized sooner.
The bacteria responsible for the sepsis emerged as a secondary infection, taking advantage of the weakened state of her immune system due to the viral infection.
Shocked everyone
The bacteria was found in both her bloodstream and left lung.
“In essence, she died of untreated pneumonia,” Dr. Baden explained, emphasizing that the combination of the viral lung infection and bacterial sepsis likely led to symptoms such as coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing before her untimely death.
It seems Avery may not have fully understood the severity of her condition, which contributed to this tragic outcome.
Her passing left everyone who knew her in shock. Only a freshman at the Air Force Academy, she had recently graduated from Thrall High School in Texas. Known for her dedication and ambition, Avery excelled in cheerleading, powerlifting, band, and cross-country, all while maintaining strong academic performance.
Avery Koonce had aspirations of pursuing a biology major with a kinesiology minor, aiming to become a physical therapist for pilots—a dream driven by both passion and a desire to help others.
A memorial service was held on September 12 at Tiger Stadium in Thrall, where approximately 100 of Avery’s classmates from the Air Force Academy gathered. They traveled all the way from Colorado to Texas to honor and remember their friend.
“We lost an incredible teammate,” remarked Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, USAFA Superintendent, acknowledging the profound impact Avery had made during her time at the academy, particularly on her squadron, track team, and peers, even though her time there was cut short.
In an emotional statement, Avery’s family expressed their grief: “Our daughter, Cadet Avery Koonce, was an incredibly bright light in this broken world. Our lives will forever be diminished because of her absence.”
They continued, “Avery is deeply loved by so many. We find peace knowing she is in the arms of her Heavenly Father, and we will be with her again. Avery wasn’t perfect, but she was the perfect daughter. Loving her brothers and learning how to live with the pain of Avery’s loss is our focus now. We are beyond grateful for the 19 wonderful years we had with her. We are praying for everyone who is enduring the profound sorrow of her absence.”
As we remember Avery, let us celebrate her dreams, her infectious enthusiasm, and the radiant light she shared with everyone around her. Her vibrant spirit and relentless pursuit of her passions left a lasting mark on her academy classmates, her family, and friends in Thrall.
Rest in peace, Avery. You will never be forgotten.
Track athlete of the year, cross country leadership award, and outstanding girls lifter for powerlifting! Junior year sports banquet ✅ pic.twitter.com/7GCaDbvmMI
— Avery Koonce (@AveryKoonce) May 16, 2023