The U.S. Air Force Academy and the community of Tyler, Texas, are mourning the loss of 19-year-old cadet Avery Koonce, whose death has deeply affected classmates, family members, and friends across the country.
Academy officials confirmed that Koonce passed away on September 4, 2024, in her dormitory room in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The El Paso County Coroner’s Office later determined that her death was related to complications from a serious respiratory illness.
Her passing has prompted renewed attention to the importance of recognizing medical warning signs and seeking timely treatment, even among young and physically active individuals.
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