A popular Henry County teenager who fell ill after football practice died of natural causes, an autopsy report revealed.

Fifteen-year-old Jason Tyler Holland, a sophomore at Ola High School in McDonough, died Aug. 17 of a heart attack that was a result of a genetic birth defect, according to an autopsy report reviewed by Channel 2 Action News.

“There have been a lot of rumors going on, and I want to set them straight right now,” Holland’s stepmother Kim Holland told Channel 2. “Jason had a heart attack due to narrowing of the arteries in the back of his heart.”

The junior varsity football player fell ill several hours after practice and was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Jason’s condition would not have been detected by routine tests or exams, especially since there were no symptoms, according to Channel 2.

Kim Holland said Jason was very health conscious.

“Our son did not take supplements, he didn’t take energy pills, he did not drink monster drinks. Jason would never drink not even a soda,” she said, adding that he preferred Gatorade and water.

Holland also stressed that Jason’s death was not football-related. The family has started a scholarship in Jason Holland’s name.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Manchester running backQua’vion Jakwon Cooper, shown here Dec. 11, 2023, has bee charged with murder in the death of teammate Brandon Smith. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Demonstrators protest President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Presidents Day in front of the Capitol in Atlanta on Monday, February 17, 2025, as part of nationwide demonstrations organized by the 50501 movement. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC