KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A report from the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office lists heatstroke as the cause of death for 15-year-old Ovet Gomez-Regalado, who died after a football conditioning event.
Ovet had just participated in a conditioning session at the school on Aug. 14 when he had what the medical examiner’s report describes as a “hyperthermic event.”
He participated in a 15-minute exercise and collapsed while walking toward a building, the report said.
School staff noticed he was pale and asked for water.
The report notes that the outside temperature was 92 degrees and the humidity was over 70%, which is equivalent to a heat index of at least 112 degrees, according to the report.
Additionally, a heat warning was in effect.
An attempt was made to cool him with ice packs around his neck and other parts of his body.
Medical staff treated Ovet, but his condition continued to worsen and his family “selected only comfort care measures,” the report states.
He died on August 16.
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Gómez-Regalado Family
Ovet Gomez-Regalado in Shawnee Mission Northwest football uniform.
The report also indicates that his case was originally accepted as a medical records review only, but changed to admission due to concerns about an improper practice procedure.
These were investigated by law enforcement, but no information about that investigation has been released.
No drugs or alcohol were found in his body.
Ovet’s death caused great grief among his classmates and a concerted effort to support his family.
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