World champion sprinter and three-time Olympic medallist Tori Bowie passed away as a result of childbirth complications, according to an autopsy report.
Bowie’s death was reported in May after she was found in her Florida home by local police who conducted a welfare check.
Concerned individuals had reported that a woman in her early 30s, later identified as Bowie, had been out of contact and sight for several days.
The autopsy report, issued by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office, and obtained by USA Today Sports, revealed that Bowie, estimated to be eight months pregnant at the time, was undergoing labour. She had a “well-developed foetus.”
Authorities indicated that potential complications Bowie faced included respiratory distress and eclampsia, a condition where a person experiences seizures following a sudden rise in high blood pressure during pregnancy.
The medical examiner ruled the 32-year-old’s cause of death as natural.
“Unfortunately, so many people, including the media, are making speculations that she did something to herself, which is very hurtful,” her agent Kimberly Holland said.
“So hopefully, now knowing the truth, there will be many apologies.”
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Bowie claimed three medals, securing silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m.
Furthermore, she played a pivotal role as the anchor leg in the women’s 4x100m relay, where Team USA clinched the gold medal.
By the close of 2017, Bowie had earned the prestigious titles of world champion in both the women’s 100m sprint and the 4x100m relay.
