A coroner’s report has revealed that track star Tori Bowie was dealing with childbirth complications when she died in her Florida home on April 23.
According to a TMZ-obtained report, the 32-year-old athlete was eight months pregnant and in labor when she passed away. The expecting mother had a “well-developed fetus,” the Medical Examiner Office stated, according to USA Today. Officials ruled Bowie’s death as natural.
The report added that Bowie may have had respiratory distress and eclampsia. According to the Cleveland Clinic, eclampsia happens during pregnancy when a person develops seizures after their blood pressure suddenly spikes.
As Blavity previously reported, Bowie’s family called officers in May and said they haven’t heard from her in several days. Officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office then went to check on Bowie and found her dead in her home in Florida.
Bowie earned three medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The 32-year-old earned a silver medal in the 100-meter run, a bronze in the 200 and a gold as part of the 4×100 relay team. “USATF is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion. Her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed,” USA Track and Field tweeted at the time of her death.
USATF is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion.
Her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/AHu5SejZ5N
— USATF (@usatf) May 3, 2023
The Mississippi native became a track and field star while she was still in high school, and then attended the University of Southern Mississippi. Among her many career accolades, Bowie won the 100-meter race at London’s world championships and also captured gold with the 4×100 team.
“We’ve lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister,” Icon Management Inc., Bowie’s management team, stated in May. “Tori was a champion…a beacon of light that shined so bright! We’re truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends.”
“We’re devasted to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away. We’ve lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a champion…a beacon of light that shined so bright! We’re truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ES83SjM7u4
— Icon Management Inc. (@iconmanagement) May 3, 2023