The US Air Force Academy is investigating after a 19-year-old first-year cadet was found dead in her Colorado dorm room this week.
Avery Koonce of Tyler, Texas, was “found unconscious” in her Colorado Springs room Wednesday night, USAFA said in a statement.
Cadet Avery Koonce was found unconscious in her dorm room. Family photo
Koonce passed away at the age of 19. Pete Sessions/Facebook“Academy first responders were called and attempted life-saving measures, which were unsuccessful. The cause of death is under investigation,” the academy added.
Koonce was a member of USAFA’s class of 2028 and was on its women’s track and field team.
“I am excited to announce my commitment to the United States Air Force Academy to run track & field! I am so beyond grateful for everyone who has helped me along in this journey. All Glory To God!” the teen wrote on X in December.
Koonce, 19, of Taylor, Texas, was “found unconscious in her dormitory.” United States Air Force Academy
The cadet previously attended Thrall High School. Avery Koonce/XThe post also included photos of Koonce decked out in academy gear as she held a relay baton in one and did a “Top Gun”-esque pose in a flight suit and aviators in another.
“We lost an incredible teammate … While only with us for a short time, Avery positively impacted her unit, her intercollegiate team, and her class — her loss will be felt across USAFA,” Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen Tony Bauernfeind said in the statement.
“Our team is focused on providing support to Avery’s family, Cadet Squadron 38, the Track and Field team, and the entire Academy family.”
The cadet, who was a member of the women’s track and field team, was set to graduate in 2028. Avery Koonce/XKoonce was also on the track team of Thrall High School in Thrall, Texas, which she graduated from this year. She posted on X in March 2023 that she set a personal best — and beat her own school record — for the 100-meter dash.
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), who nominated Koonce to attend USAFA outside Colorado Springs, said he was “incredibly saddened to hear about the loss” of the cadet.
Koonce was attending the United States Air Force Academy Ben Ploetz/Facebook
Koonce was an acclaimed track athelete. Avey Koonce/XHe called her a “talented athlete” and said she was “planning to major in biology and minor in kinesiology with hopes of becoming a pilot physical therapist.”
Friends, acquaintances and others offered condolences on social media.
“She was so sweet, so kind, and overall great at everything she did,” one person wrote in the comments on Instagram.
Koonce’s family declined to comment when reached by The Post Saturday but later released a statement via the USAFA, according to CBS News.
“Our daughter Cadet Avery Koonce was an incredible bright light in this broken world. Our lives will forever be diminished because of her absence. Avery is truly loved by so many,” they said. “We have peace in the knowledge Avery is in the arms of her Heavenly Father and we will be with her again.”
The teen “was not a perfect person but was a perfect daughter. Loving on her brothers and learning how to live with Avery’s loss is our only focus right now,” her devastated family continued.
“We are beyond blessed for the 19 amazing years we got to call Avery ours. We are praying for all of those that are bearing the incredible darkness of her loss.”
