American sprinter Tori Bowie ‘could have suffered respiratory distress’ when she died in childbirth
US sprinter Tori Bowie ‘could have developed respiratory distress or eclampsia’ when she died in childbirth aged 32
Former US Olympian Tori Bowie could be suffering from respiratory distress and eclampsia, a rare condition that can cause seizures, according to an autopsy last month at age 32.
Bowie died in her bed at her Florida home on May 2, and it was revealed on Monday that she was in labor when she died.
An autopsy report from the Medical Examiner’s Office of Orange County (Florida), obtained by USA TODAY Sports, found that a medical examiner ruled that Bowie’s death was natural.
DailyMail.com exclusively revealed on May 4 that the athlete was pregnant at the time of her death.
Bowie’s agent Kimberly Holland told CBS News the news would put an end to “hurtful” speculation about the cause of death.
Tori Bowie celebrates after the women’s 100m final on day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympics
Bowie, died May 2 at age 32 in Winter Park, Florida, and was in labor at the time
“Unfortunately, so many people, including the media, are speculating that she did something to herself, which is very hurtful,” she said.
“So hopefully, now that we know the truth, there will be a lot of excuses.”
Bowie’s loved ones reportedly became concerned after not hearing from her for several days, and when police from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrived to conduct a welfare check, they found her dead in her bed.
On social media, her grieving sister Tamarra, 36, hinted at mental health problems in May.
“People who pretend to be happy have some of the saddest souls, and people who don’t try to convince the world they are happy have the most sincere souls, because they are content to be them for them and no one else.” she said. in a Facebook post.
Bowie was a three-time Olympic medalist for the US in 2016, winning gold in the women’s 4×100-meter relay, silver in the 100-meter and bronze in the 200-meter.
She was the fastest woman in the world in 2017 and won the World Championship in London with a time of 10.85 seconds.
At the time of her death, tributes were pouring in for one of America’s greatest athletic stars, with the USATF telling DailyMail.com that they were “deeply saddened by the passing of Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion.” .
Police were called to conduct a welfare check at her home in Winter Garden, Florida, on May 4
Bowie grew up with her younger sister, Tamarra (left) and the pair remained close throughout
“A talented athlete, her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be sorely missed.”
Top athletes such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson all mourned the loss of Bowie in social media posts.
Lyles, an American record holder and three-time world champion, led the reaction to Bowie’s death – she responded to her management agency’s statement on Twitter, saying, “I can’t believe this. I had just heard she would be at her sister’s house and now this. This breaks my heart to hear and I will keep the family in my prayers.”
Bowie last competed on the world stage in 2019 at the World Championships in Qatar, but had spent the last four years of her life quietly in Winter Park, Florida, modeling occasionally for Valentino and ESPN.