June 14, 2023 – American track and field star Tori Bowie, who was found dead in Orange County, Florida earlier this 12 months, died during labor, in keeping with a recently released autopsy report. She was 32 years old and eight months pregnant on the time.
The autopsy report listed respiratory distress and eclampsia as possible complications. The New York Times reported. Bowie's exact date of death is unknown, as she was not heard from for several days and was present in her home on May 2 with no signs of foul play. Her death was confirmed by USA Track and Field on May 3.
Bowie is from Mississippi and competed within the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and won three medalsincluding gold within the 4×100 meter relay.
Her death highlights the increased risk of pregnancy complications amongst black women. According to the CDC.
The pregnancy complication listed in Bowie's autopsy report, eclampsia, typically occurs as a complication of a condition called preeclampsia, which affects black women 60% more often than white women, in keeping with the Preeclampsia FoundationPreeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder through which a girl has hypertension and a certain protein is present in the urine. According to the Cleveland ClinicEclampsia is taken into account a complication of preeclampsia, but “it can also occur without signs of preeclampsia.” With eclampsia, the girl experiences seizures, could be very agitated or confused, and should lose consciousness.
Overall, 1 in 25 women are diagnosed with preeclampsia while pregnant, and only 3% of them experience eclampsia, in keeping with the Cleveland Clinic.
Bowie’s long-time agent Kimberly Holland said abc news that she had spoken to Bowie just a few weeks before her death and that pregnancy complications had not been mentioned.
“She was so full of joy. She was so happy. It was one of the best conversations we've had in a long time,” Holland told ABC. “She never complained about any discomfort or that she was having any problems. She was getting ready to have the baby in a few weeks.”
In a memorial program it was said that Bowie had already had a daughter named Ariana Bowie, it says within the Just.