29/04/2024

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Former star swimmer Jamie Cail’s cause of death revealed as fentanyl overdose

Former star swimmer Jamie Cail’s cause of death revealed as fentanyl overdose

A former champion swimmer who died in the US Virgin Islands in February reportedly overdosed on fentanyl, police said after a months-long probe.

Jamie Cail, 42, allegedly died of a “fentanyl intoxication with aspiration of gastric content,” meaning particles from her stomach entered her lungs, the Virgin Islands Police Department said in a Saturday press release, according to NBC.

The cops cited an Aug. 22 autopsy report from the Virgin Islands’ medical examiner.

Cail’s boyfriend found her dead on the floor of their home on Feb. 21 after he got back from a bar around midnight, police have said.

They brought Cail — who originally hails from New Hampshire — to Myrah Keating-Smith Community Health Center.

But she died despite doctors’ best efforts.

“She was just a very beautiful person,” a friend told WMUR. “She had a huge heart. She was really loving and kind and well-loved and popular on the island and everybody knows her.”


Jamie Cail
A remarkable swimmer in her youth, Cail had been living on the island of St. John with her boyfriend.
Facebook / Jamie Cail

A remarkable swimmer in her youth, Cail won a gold medal in the 800 free relay as part of the US team at the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships, according to NBC.

During the 1998-99 Swimming World Cup in Brazil, Cail took home a silver medal in the 800 free as a member of the US Swimming National B Team.

She also won the California high school championship in the 200-meter individual medley and the 500 free, the station said. She also swam at the University of Southern California and the University of Maine.

Cops had been investigating Cail’s death since it happened, NBC said.


Jamie Cail swimming
Jamie Cail died of an accidental fentanyl overdose, according to authorities in the US Virgin Islands.
Getty Images

Jamie Cail
Cail was found unconscious on the floor of her home on Feb. 21. Despite doctors’ efforts, she died at a hospital.
Family Handout

She had reportedly been living on the island of St. John with her boyfriend while she worked at a local coffee shop.

Neither the Virgin Islands Police Department nor the medical examiner’s office responded to NBC’s requests for comment.

Fentanyl has nearly taken over the drug supply in the US during the last few years — and deaths attributed to it have risen as a consequence.


Jamie Cail
Cail was widely considered a swimming prodigy.

Jamie Cail
She also swam for the University of Southern California and the University of Maine.

There were more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these were a result of fentanyl.

Several high-profile celebrities have also died from the drug during the last few years, including musicians such as Tom Petty, Coolio and Prince.