Broncos star DeMarius Thomas dies at 33.
Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports
The Fulton County (Georgia) medical examiner’s office has determined that former All-Pro catcher Demaryius Thomas died of “complications of epilepsy,” According to an autopsy report obtained by 9News Denver.
Thomas, 33, was found dead in the shower of his home in Roswell, Georgia, on December 9, two weeks before his 34th birthday. A day later, Thomas’ family released a statement saying they believed he died after having a seizure in the shower as he revealed he had been dealing with recurring seizures since his 2019 car crash.
According to 9News, the medical examiner confirmed that Thomas suffered from epilepsy, but could not determine whether it was “the result of natural causes or the sequelae of a head blow” during his football career.The report, released on Friday, comes exactly a month later New York Times The former Broncos were diagnosed posthumously with stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) by Boston University researchers, according to reports.
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Seizures are usually not associated with CTE, neuropathologist Ann McKee, PhD, who has studied Thomas’ brain, said in July.The Fulton County medical examiner shares a Boston University doctor’s ruling “Not directly related between the development of CTE and epilepsy. “
In addition to pointing to the presence of degenerative encephalopathy in the report, the medical examiner’s office found traces of nicotine and marijuana in Thomas’ system, which were eventually ruled out as possible causes of death. The test also ruled out COVID-19, 9News reported.
A former Georgia Tech star selected by the Broncos with the 22nd overall pick in 2010, Thomas spent eight seasons in Denver, making three straight Pro Bowls from 2012-’14 and winning the Super Bowl in ’15.
In his 10 seasons with the Broncos, Texans, Patriots and Jets, Thomas completed 724 passes for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns.he Officially retired in June 2021 After signing a one-day contract with the Broncos.
