US Olympic champion sprinter Tori Bowie died from complications of childbirth.
According to an autopsy report reported by US media outlets, 32 year old athlete, who won three medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, was found dead last month.
The report from the office of the medical examiner in Orlando, Florida, said Bowie was estimated to be eight months pregnant and showing signs of undergoing labour when she was discovered dead on May 2.
It said she was found in bed in a “secured residence” with possible complications including respiratory distress and eclampsia. The autopsy report said, “the manner of death is natural”.
Bowie’s agent Kimberly Holland told CBS News the news on Monday would end the “hurtful” speculation about the cause of death. “Unfortunately, so many people, including the media, are making speculations that she did something to herself, which is very hurtful,” she said.
“So hopefully, now knowing the truth, there will be many apologies.” Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States – 69.9 per 100,000 live births for 2021, almost three times the rate for white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
