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Cause of death released for Alabama 14-year-old who collapsed at football practice

AL.com

Authorities have released the cause of death for a 14-year-old football player who died after collapsing at practice in August.

Semaj Wilkins, a student athlete at New Brockton High School, died Aug. 13 at Medical Center Enterprise.

Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham on Thursday said an autopsy done by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences determined Semaj died from congestive heart failure due to cardiomegaly with biventricular hypertrophy, resulting from a coronary anomaly.

That means that his heart was failing to pump blood effectively because it was enlarged.

His death was ruled natural, Woodham said.

Woodham said his thoughts and prayers remain with the Wilkins family during this difficult time.

The coroner also extended support to New Brockton High School, and thanked the New Brockton Fire Department, Enterprise Rescue, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, New Brockton Police Department, and Medical Center Enterprise staff for their swift response and care.

Semaj was a freshman at the school.

Coffee County superintendent Kelly Cobb released the following statement after Semaj’s death:

“Our Coffee County School System family is grieving the loss of a New Brockton High School freshman who passed away after a medical emergency late this afternoon. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office are conducting an investigation, and the Coffee County School System will fully cooperate with both agencies.

“Starting tomorrow, we will have our crisis response team which includes counselors, pastors, and other support staff available at New Brockton High School to provide support for the family, friends, classmates, teachers, and other school staff. Our hearts are broken for the family’s loss and our prayers are with them as they mourn. We ask that the family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

https://www.al.com/news/2024/11/cause-of-death-released-for-alabama-14-year-old-who-collapsed-at-football-practice.html

Cause of death released for Alabama 14-year-old who collapsed at football practice
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