An autopsy report released Wednesday morning in the death of Atlas Fraley stated there is "no definite explanation for this young man's death".

Fraley, 17, died of "undetermined natural causes", according to the report. The morning that the Chapel Hill High School star football player died in August, he had been participating in a football scrimmage when he suffered a headache and was taken out of the game. He complained of muscle cramping on his way back to Chapel Hill following the game.

Fraley called 911, saying his "body hurt all over" and a paramedic was sent to his home. The 17-year-old was found to be stable and the paramedic left. Fraley was found dead on the floor by his parents when they returned home from work.

Fraley's medical history included asthma, but was "successfully treated with inhalers as needed", stated the report. Read Full Report

The report states that Fraley had a previous episode of cramping following football practice. He was taken to the hospital and it was determined that his cramping was the result of "inadequate pre-exercise hydration." He was instructed to follow a hydration routine before any strenuous activity.

It is possible that Fraley did not follow the hydration regimen on the day of his death, the report states.

The autopsy examination revealed no physical trauma, drug tests returned negative, and reportedly there were Gatorade and water bottles were found near his body.

Donald Strickland, the Fraley family's attorney, released a statement Tuesday about the case and said there are two key issues that the autopsy report does not answer. First, he wrote, should Fraley have been transported to the hospital by EMS rather than being left at home alone after EMS responded to the call? And second, Strickland said, if Fraley had been transported to the hospital rather than left at home alone, would he more likely than not have survived?

"His (medical examiner's) report simply states that Atlas died from natural causes, but does not shed any light on whether Atlas would have survived if he had been taken to the hospital rather than being left home alone by the paramedic that responded to the 911 call," Strickland wrote. Now that the autopsy report is completed, we will continue our investigation into the tragic death of this fine young man."

In a statement from Orange County, officials said they conducted an internal review of the actions and decisions made that day, including a peer review. The statement did not comment on the outcome of that review because the law limits disclosure of information in an Orange County employee's personnel file.  

"The paramedic evaluated Mr. Fraley and advised him in regard to adequate hydration. Paramedics are trained to care for the sick and injured, alleviate pain and provide reassurance to the community they serve. The Board of Orange County  Commissioners and Orange County Emergency Services are committed to having men and women who serve and protect this community ready, willing and able to provide that protection with compassion and competence. The County's resolve is to review the cause of all actions and decisions with a focus on confidence."

The statement also said the county continually reviews policies and procedures related to treatment.

According to a statement released by Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, at the time of Frayley's death the board of education directed the Board’s legal counsel, Tharrington Smith, to conduct an investigation to determine the events that transpired on Aug. 12. 

"The report from this investigation has been held up by the delay in the release of the autopsy report from the Medical Examiner’s Office," CHCCS said. "We have not yet received this investigation report but would expect it in the near future. Therefore, we can’t comment on the report at this time. We will make public as much of this report as is legally permissible once it is received."

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Timeline Of The Day Of Fraley's Death
911 Calls Released In Athlete's Death
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