19-Year-Old U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Found Dead In Dorm Room

New York Post ^ | Sep. 7, 2024 | Lauren Elkies Schram

[george76]

The US Air Force Academy is investigating after a 19-year-old first-year cadet was found dead in her Colorado dorm room this week.

Avery Koonce of Tyler, Texas, was “found unconscious” in her Colorado Springs room Thursday, USAFA said...

“Academy first responders were called and attempted life-saving measures, which were unsuccessful. The cause of death is under investigation,” the academy added.

Koonce was a member of USAFA’s class of 2028 and was on its women’s track and field team.

[PsyCon]

Given that this was an academy cadet, her death comes after having passed a comprehensive medical history and physical examination. I think that significantly skews much of the “it's not that uncommon” reasoning. This death has occurred in an healthy subset of that age group.

[Gay State Conservative]

That certainly seems possible. Having only attained the lofty rank of SP5 (E-5) in the Army I know very little about the service academies. But if she was a "freshman" she would have only started days ago. I know that the academies start rigorous PT very early so it seems possible that she,as a result of that PT,had some kind of undetected heart condition that killed her.

Like I said...the family should get an independent autopsy.

[Gay State Conservative]

Do a little research on Reggie Lewis. During an off season game he passed out on the court. As a result he consulted a doctor at New England Bapist Hospital...a well respected Boston hospital. They told him he should never play basketball again.

Not liking that verdict he consulted one of the country's best cardiologists,Dr Gilbert Mudge at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Dr Mudge told him it was OK for him to play basketball.

Not long after that he was dead.

Medicine is an inexact science. And I'll wager that the Air Force doctor(s) that cleared her didn't have Dr Mudge's credentials.

Just sayin'...

[ken in texas]

re. "...she would have only started days ago"

Her class started basic training on June 26 and wrapped it up late August, so she's already been there a while. At least she made it through basic. My first roommate tried to commit suicide after our first full day back in June 1969.

[Gay State Conservative]

I never contemplated suicide during...or after...my Army BCT in '69. But I sure as hell contemplated desertion.

And on an unrelated note...one would think that riding a floor buffer would involve lots of spinning and very little forward movement. But I guess if anyone can do it the Air Force can!

[ken in texas]

Well, I don't know anyone that excelled at riding a floor buffer, but it did provide an occasional break from the drudgery of buffing our dorm room floors on the Friday night before a big inspection.