University of Cincinnati football player Jeremiah Kelly’s cause of death has been revealed.
The 18-year-old died from cardiac hypertrophy, a condition where the heart muscles thicken, according to a coroner’s report obtained by ESPN.
Kelly passed away “unexpectedly” at his residence on the morning of April 22. According to a GoFundMe set up by a family friend, he died in his sleep.
A spokesperson for the University of Cincinnati said in a statement to ESPN that before his death, Kelly “passed a pre-participation physical examination required by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)” and had just completed spring practice with the Bearcats.
“The Cincinnati football program and athletics department continue to mourn Jeremiah’s passing. He is deeply missed by all of us,” the spokesperson added to the outlet.
GoFundMe
Freshman football player Kelly died on April 22
Kelly was an early enrollee at the University of Cincinnati and was listed among Northeast Ohio’s Top 25 prospects, the Cincinnati Bengals said. He graduated from Avon High School, where he achieved a 16-0 record with the team and helped the school win its first state championship in 2024.
Kelly’s mother, Chiniqua, said that he “never had any [health] issues” and that he had been relaxing at home the day before his sudden death, per ESPN. He also wore a heart monitor when playing sports, she told the outlet.
While the autopsy results have provided “some closure,” Chiniqua said she is still left with questions. “It just makes you want to be more aware, like if there’s something that you can possibly save your child from,” she told ESPN.
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Cincinnati Bearcats helmet
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Football head coach Scott Satterfield said in a statement after Kelly’s death in April, “The Bearcats football family is heartbroken by the sudden loss of this outstanding young man. In the short time Jeremiah has spent with our team, he has made a real impact, both on the field and in our locker room.”
“My prayers are with the Kelly family and those who had the pleasure of knowing Jeremiah,” he added.
PEOPLE has reached out to The Hamilton County coroner’s office for comment.
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