Medical experts find fault with O'Neal autopsy report

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Missouri football player whose sudden death was attributed to viral meningitis was also a carrier of sickle cell trait, an inherited condition that some medical experts suggest played a larger role than his autopsy report concluded.

Boone County Medical Examiner Valerie Rao found lymphocytic meningitis to be the probable cause of death for Aaron O'Neal, a redshirt freshman linebacker who collapsed and later died following a July 12 preseason workout.

Rao, who released her autopsy findings Aug. 23, has repeatedly denied any connection with sickle cell trait, a condition that primarily affects blacks and can lead to the blood disorder sickle cell anemia when both parents are carriers of the trait. Red blood cells with the genetic disorder were detected in O'Neal's liver, spleen, kidneys and brain.

But a University Hospital neuropathologist who examined O'Neal's brain concluded otherwise, the Columbia Missourian reported Sunday.

"In my opinion, both lymphocytic meningitis and sickle cell trait are potential contributing factors in this sudden death," wrote Douglas Anthony in a report accompanying Rao's autopsy. He noted that sickle cell carriers have a "40-fold increased risk of sudden death."

While there are no plans to reopen the investigation, the newspaper solicited the views of outside experts on the case. Those who analyzed the autopsy findings for the Missourian concluded that sickle cell trait in combination with heat stroke or exercise-related muscle damage most likely killed O'Neal.

"This wasn't a death from viral meningitis if he really had viral meningitis, which I doubt," said John Kark, a retired Army physician and expert in heat-related deaths who wrote a pioneering study on sickle cell trait while at Howard University. "I'm not too convinced that's the correct interpretation there."

Rao concluded that O'Neal's meningitis was lymphocytic because of the virus-fighting white blood cells lymphocytes found in the brain. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still must confirm the meningitis was viral. That determination could take several months.

Sickle cell trait has caused the death of up to 10 college football players since 1974, usually occurring during heavy exertion such as wind sprints, timed miles, ramp running, mat drills and weight training, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

Lonnie O'Neal, the player's father, has filed suit against 14 University of Missouri officials, including coach Gary Pinkel and athletics director Mike Alden, accusing the school's trainers and strength coaches of negligence and failing to properly treat his son after he collapsed during the voluntary summer workout.