[SwampYankee]

That's why, as I explained earlier, there's usually a split in the 'publicness' of the autopsy report v. the investigative report. That's why, when a death is explained by conventional, non-violent means -- as in a death with a known medical cause that was evident in the days before the death -- the death does not become a ME/Coroner's case.

Investigations by public agencies should be a matter of public record unless there are credible, legal reasons for privacy. Oversight and openness go a long way towards ensuring a healthy society.

Quite so, JER. At least that much transparency also prevents the sort of speculation where the public "fills in the blanks" without access to any of the pertinent facts.

One possibility, which no one here has been crass enough to mention but would fit under the lid they've put on it, might have been contributed to by people posting on this very board, whose ad-hominem venom duriing the Le Samourai incident certainly made me cringe. A hard lesson not to EVER make a mistake in public, you will have your character assassinated by people who pronounce themselves judge, jury, and executioner.

I'm intrigued, however, by the disconnect when people who happily post every detail of their lives online then wish to scream "privacy!" Unintended consequences of the medium, perhaps, for which anyone without a team of "handlers" is probably unprepared. Lesson to us all . . .

[deltawave]

I wasn't aware that Amy posted every detail of her life on line. I always had the impression that she was rather a private person.

Perhaps her family will release the information. Perhaps they will not. If and when they do, everyone's (perfectly natural, reasonable) curiosity as to her cause of death will be satisfied, other than perhaps the conspiracy theorists'. Until then, I guess we shall all have to stay unenlightened, as we are WRT the cause of death of every other person we don't really know and have never heard of.

[Donkerbruin]

I really don't think that the OP meant any harm at all in asking. As for those saying that we wouldn't be interested if the decedent was a perfect stranger, I have to disagree. I am fascinated with television shows like Dr. G: Medical Examiner, Forensic Files, etc. All shows that directly deal with the cause of death of strangers. I know I'm not the only one who likes these shows, either...otherwise they wouldn't be on the air!

[JAGold]

I was appalled by the way that some members of this BB spoke about and judged Amy after Le Samuri's death. Those threads where why I stopped posting actively -- it became clear to me that this was no longer a community of which I wished to be an active member. I do still read the forums, and this thread strikes me as incredibly, bitterly, ironic. It's hard not to see the interest in how Amy died as sordid rather than genuine given the forum history. (I'm not aiming this comment at the OP or any other individual poster, but simply comparing the overall forum interest in the two incidents.)

Add me to the list of people who think it's none of your collective damn business. Amy didn't die at a horse show, the medical examiner and other officials have not seen any need to release the information some of you seek, and her family does not owe anyone anything. If those who do know the details thought that others needed or deserved to know, they would release the information. That they haven't should be enough of an answer. I simply don't understand the attitude that because someone is a successful athlete, others are entitled to know the details of his or her personal and medical history. Neither Amy nor any other athlete is obligated to sign away privacy in return for athletic success. You don't own her just because she won ribbons or even rode for the USET.

[deltawave]

Curiosity is insufficient rationale to violate someone's privacy, period.

[quietann]

I'm intrigued, however, by the disconnect when people who happily post every detail of their lives online then wish to scream "privacy!" Unintended consequences of the medium, perhaps, for which anyone without a team of "handlers" is probably unprepared. Lesson to us all . . .

Having been online, in some form, since 1985 (back in the ARPAnet days!), I am perfectly aware that there are details of my life out there I'd rather not have the whole world know about... but I chose to put them there and will take the consequences (and have, a few times.)

Amy Tryon, by all reports, was a very private person who did not share much about her life on the internet. Her privacy was her choice and I am glad her family is respecting that, WRT her death.

[subk]

I simply don't understand the attitude that because someone is a successful athlete, others are entitled to know the details of his or her personal and medical history.

No where on this or any other thread have I read ANYTHING that conveys the idea that anyone thinks they are ENTITLED to details. You don't just get to make stuff up.

[Sannois]

I have either been away too long or people are terribly defensive now.
I was totally shocked and stunned by her sudden death. I have many close up pics of her on Cross country from years ago, I admired her. I cannot imagine people freaking out so about asking what she died of. Seriously, Has Hippa crap made people that nuts?? And yeah I worked in the Medical field for over 15 years. I do not think that asking how someone died is at all Out of place. Strange reactions to the Ops question.

[staceyk]

Look at the topics discussed in this and other COTH forums -- there is no shortage of none-of-our-business topics, and it seems hypocritical to jump on the OP for posting a question that I bet many, many readers are waiting to hear about.

Curiosity is human nature -- whether it's Michael Jackson or Tiger Woods or Courtney King Dye or McClain Ward, there is ample evidence that people are interested in personal details, and not always for evil/hateful reasons.

[JER]

Look at the topics discussed in this and other COTH forums -- there is no shortage of none-of-our-business topics, and it seems hypocritical to jump on the OP for posting a question that I bet many, many readers are waiting to hear about.

Yes. Some hilarious hypocrisy there.

Think about it: you see these same posters coming back to a thread, not to answer the OP's question or to be helpful in any way, but simply to keep finger-wagging at the OP that the topic is none of their business.

These posts also often make generalizations about the Evil Intentions and appalling, sordid characters who make up the membership of this BB.

I can't understand for the life of me why one would spend any time at all on a BB where you have such a poor opinion of the membership. Unless, of course, you get a certain enjoyment out of telling others what is and what isn't their business.

[seeuatx]

I don't think it's freak out worthy... but I do think it would qualify as what my VERY proper, Very Southern Aunt (who I think sometimes channels my Great Grandmother in those times) would refer to as gouche. I wouldn't go so far as to say it is entirely beyond the pale, just not something I would want to see on a public forum, tossed in next to drug scandals and which coach is screwing someone they shouldn't, if it was one of my loved ones.

A bit off topic, but a close friend of mine passed a few years ago. He was 27. He (like in this case apparently) went to take a nap, dog by his side. His GF was concerned after a bit over an hour and went to check... he was already gone. The gossip that some busy bodies threw out in the weeks and months following his death was absolutely sickening, and it was dreadful for his parents and GF. People threw around the term OD like it was nothing, plus more "normal" causes like aneurysms or heart defect, some even thought his GF poisoned him. In the end, the autopsy showed nothing... no foul play, but no congenital condition that should have stood out. The best guess anyone had was maybe an epileptic seizure, which he had never had, but his father did. Literally, after all that, nothing but a remote guess. They were told, after all of that, "sometimes these things just happen".

I understand being curious, but really, speculating the cause or even saying they should release the info simply to satisfy that curiosity, over-looks and belittles the grief her loved ones are going through. Let them grieve. If and when they are ready, they may be willing to share the information. Please don't turn it into fodder for gossip.

[Jealoushe]

I can't understand for the life of me why one would spend any time at all on a BB where you have such a poor opinion of the membership. Unless, of course, you get a certain enjoyment out of telling others what is and what isn't their business.

[snopbobil]

I just saw on facebook the caused of death is drug overdose, I tried to copy and paste, but it wouldn'd work, you can go to the Seattle Times and find the article, she had oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid and a bunch of over the counter cold medicne drugs, this didn't have to happen, dam drugs, I'm so sick of doctors and drug companies killing people left and right with there horrible drugs!!!

[deltawave]

Dreadful.

[JmpR_1]

I just saw on facebook the caused of death is drug overdose, I tried to copy and paste, but it wouldn'd work, you can go to the Seattle Times and find the article, she had oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid and a bunch of over the counter cold medicne drugs, this didn't have to happen, dam drugs, I'm so sick of doctors and drug companies killing people left and right with there horrible drugs!!!

Wow, just read the article. Well there you go OP, there is you're answer and many others.

[takeone4theteam]

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/...from-overdose/

What strange timing that the OP would ask this question....and it be in the news tonight.

Very sad news.

[JER]

The Seattle Times report.

This is so sad. My deepest sympathies to her loved ones.

[Theresyoursighn]

Being the OP, I am the parent of a son that died of accidental overdose by a mixture of Rx pain and OTC allergy meds. With the length of time it has taken and factoring in her age I had a feeling it was going to come down to a tox report which does take a considerable time frame. There are no words, jestures or expressions to express the shock and pain those that loved her are feeling.

[ZiggyStardust]

Very sad. I knew her body had taken a beating over the years, with the broken pelvis (at the WEG?), a broken jaw from Woodstock? and I think multiple concussions. And then the knee thing.

I didn't know her well, but spent a fair amount of time at her barn for about a year, and the few times we connected, it was through dogs or my horse, which tickled me because it was something we had in common, connecting to people better through animals. I know she wasn't a perfect person, but it was still a gut punch when I heard the news earlier this year. She willed her body to do its best. I think the Le Samurai ending probably also broke her heart, I know it wasn't purposeful. Anyway, RIP, she had a profound effect on many people's lives.

[JmpR_1]

Being the OP, I am the parent of a son that died of accidental overdose by a mixture of Rx pain and OTC allergy meds. With the length of time it has taken and factoring in her age I had a feeling it was going to come down to a tox report which does take a considerable time frame. There are no words, jestures or expressions to express the shock and pain those that loved her are feeling.

My condolences to you and you're family. I can not even begin to imagine