She had reportedly been dealing with a harsh cough in the days prior to her passing, a symptom that may have seemed benign at first but tragically masked a far more serious condition.

Medical experts say this heartbreaking loss might have been preventable. Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden told IBT that with early detection and antibiotic treatment, Avery’s outcome could have been very different. “In essence, she died of untreated pneumonia,” Dr. Baden explained, adding that signs such as difficulty breathing, fever, and severe coughing may have been present but underestimated.

Avery’s passing stunned everyone around her. As a freshman just starting her academic and athletic career at the Air Force Academy, she had her entire future ahead of her. A recent graduate of Thrall High School, Avery had excelled not only in track but in a wide range of activities—she was involved