UCF freshman Ann Hefferin’s death a little more than one month ago was as a result of sepsis, according to the Orange-Osceola medical examiner’s office.
On Friday, the medical examiner’s office released the report which indicates that the 18-year-old had sepsis syndrome, a rare bacterial infection throughout the body, commonly referred to as blood poisioning.
Hefferin’s roomates found the freshman unresponsive on August 25, in their Lake Claire residence, after she attended a Sigma Chi fraternity house party at which alcohol was present. This led to speculation that alcohol must have played a role in her death, as the freshman had been drinking.
According to the medical examiner’s report, a trace amount of alcohol was detected in her blood stream, along with caffeine and the drug naproxen, a prescription pain reliever for arthritis.
After Hefferin’s sudden death, the Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Sigma Chi were placed on probation for alcohol-related violations. The party Hefferin attended had not been permitted to serve alcohol.
A UCF spokesman, Grant Heston, following the release of the medical examiner’s report said, “Although the medical examiner’s report explains what happened, it does not change the fact that this was a tragedy. Our thoughts remain with Ann’s family and friends,” reports centralfloridafuture.com.
