Autopsy: Henry teen football player died of heart attack
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
Fran Jeffries is a Newsletter Producer. She joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2005 as an Education Editor. She worked as a Breaking News Editor and Social Media Producer before joining the Newsletter team.
