Note: This story was originally reported in October 2024.
Avery Koonce, a 19-year-old U.S. Air Force Academy cadet from Tyler, Texas, tragically died in her Colorado dorm room on September 4th. An autopsy from the El Paso County Coroner’s Office revealed she passed away from complications of severe pneumonia — a condition experts believe could have been treated.

The report listed the cause of death as paeniclostridium sordelli sepsis complicating parainfluenza laryngotracheobronchitis, a rare but dangerous bacterial infection triggered by a viral lung illness. Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, after reviewing the findings, explained that Koonce essentially died from untreated pneumonia, emphasizing that antibiotics and fluids might have saved her life.