The U.S. Air Force Academy is investigating the death of a freshman cadet who was found unconscious in her Colorado Springs dormitory last week, the school said Sept. 5.
Cadet 4th Class Avery Koonce, 19, of Taylor, Texas, was discovered the night of Sept. 4 and did not respond to medics’ attempts at resuscitation, the academy said in a statement posted to social media. Her cause of death remains unclear.
Koonce’s death is the first reported fatality of a cadet at USAFA so far this academic year. The academy announced one off-campus cadet death for the 2023-24 academic year, and three—two on campus and off—in 2022-23.
“While only with us for a short time, Avery positively impacted her unit, her intercollegiate team, and her class,” Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind said in the school’s statement. “Her loss will be felt across USAFA. Our team is focused on providing support to Avery’s family, Cadet Squadron 38, the track-and-field team, and the entire academy family.”
The school is offering mental health and religious support services to cadets, faculty and staff who are grieving Koonce’s death.
Koonce graduated from Thrall High School earlier this year and joined the academy’s Class of 2028, as well as the women’s track-and-field team. She was a talented athlete who planned to major in biology and become a physical therapist for pilots, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), who submitted Koonce’s nomination to attend the academy, said on Facebook.
In March, Koonce celebrated notching a new personal record in the 100-meter dash: 12.19 seconds.
In a statement the academy provided to press on Sept. 7, Koonce’s parents remembered her as a “perfect daughter” who is now “in the arms of her Heavenly Father.”
“Avery is truly loved by so many,” Eric and Kelly Koonce said. “Loving on her brothers and learning how to live with Avery’s loss is our only focus right now. We are beyond blessed for the 19 amazing years we got to call Avery ours. We are praying for all of those that are bearing the incredible darkness of her loss.”
Around 4,000 cadets attend the service academy; about 1,000 graduates go on to join the Air Force and Space Force as second lieutenants each May.