Early in September, Avery Koonce, 19, was discovered dead at the US Air Force Academy.
The U.S. Air Force Academy student, 19, who was discovered unconscious in her dorm room at the beginning of September, passed away due to an uncommon bacterial illness that was “associated with a toxic shock-like syndrome,” according to the coroner.
Fox21 News acquired a report from the El Paso County Coroner’s Office on September 4, which states that Avery Koonce passed away in Colorado on that day due to “Paeniclostridium sordellii sepsis complicating parainfluenza laryngotracheobronchitis,” after battling a cough.
In addition to the bacteria Paeniclostridium sordellii, which can result in “serious disease or death in various clinical settings including airway infection and sepsis,” coroner Leon Kelly noted in the report that Koonce had an abnormal fluid build-up in her left lung. This information was reported by the Colorado Springs Independent.
The microbe “has been associated with a toxic shock-like syndrome that can rapidly progress to death,” according to “It’s likely that the bacterial infection was secondary to the parainfluenza infection… that resulted in… symptoms of severe cough and upper airway inflammation and edema,” according to a report quoted by the newspaper.
Sepsis is defined as “the body’s extreme response to an infection” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which arises “when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body.”
Koonce, a 19-year-old from Taylor, Texas, was a member of the women’s track and field team and was scheduled to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2028.
“We lost a fantastic teammate. Avery had a significant influence on her unit, her intercollegiate team, and her class during her brief time with us. Her loss will be felt across USAFA, according to Academy Superintendent Lt Gen Tony Bauernfeind at the time of Koonce’s passing. “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 was the president of the student council and the head of the National Honor Society at Thrall High School, according to the Austin American-Statesman, which cited the district superintendent.
In addition, U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions expressed his “deep sadness” to the Austin American-Statesman upon learning of Koonce’s passing. Sessions had nominated Koonce to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy outside of Colorado Springs.
