Alto Football Player Did Not Die From an Aneurysm
Posted/updated on: December 10, 2015 at 5:15 pm
ALTO – An Alto football player did not die from an aneurysm as previously thought. KETK reports an autopsy report on Cam’ron Matthews, 16, released by Smith County Justice of the Peace James Cowart, said the death was ruled an accident caused by “anoxic encephalopathy following resuscitation from cardiac arrest from unspecified blunt impact.” Anoxic encephalopathy is a condition where the brain can not get enough oxygen due to lack of blood flow. Officials also stated he suffered from bleeding and swelling of the brain.
An aneurysm was first thought to be the cause of death of Matthews, who collapsed on the sidelines during a home game against Price-Carlisle on October 16. He died the following day. The rest of the game was called off. Alto School Superintendent Kerry Birdwell told KTRE-TV in Lufkin that the school’s athletic director was with Matthews’ family when a doctor informed them of Matthews’ original diagnosis. Birdwell says the doctor told the family the aneurysm may not be football-related. An aneurysm is a blood-filled bulge or balloon in a blood vessel wall that can rupture.
But the autopsy, which was performed in Tyler on October 20 and October 21, shed different light on the boy’s death.
