Photo: Facebook/Taylor Ceepo
The Walsh University community has been stricken with grief after a recent graduate mysteriously died while running the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Sunday morning.
Taylor Ceepo, 22, was just a quarter mile from the finish line when she suddenly collapsed,Fox 8 Clevelandreports.
Ceepo immediately received medical attention on the scene and was brought to University Hospitals. However, she was pronounced dead on arrival, according to Fox 8.
The athletics department at Walsh Universityconfirmed her shocking deathon Twitter writing, “It is with great sadness that our Walsh family has lost one of our own, Taylor Ceepo, too soon.”
“To all of our Cavaliers out there… please pray for Taylor, her family, Women’s soccer teammates and coaches during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Ceepo, who was originally from Medina, had graduated from Walsh just a few weeks ago. She majored in biology, with minors in both psychology and chemistry, according toCleveland.com. She was also a part of the school’s soccer team.
“Her mother, dear friends and her boyfriend (also a Walsh student) were with her. Our love and deepest sympathies go to her family and loved ones. Your Walsh family will keep you all in prayer,” Malaska added.
Taylor Ceepo.Facebook/Taylor Ceepo
A statement posted to the Cleveland Marathon’s Twitterexpressed sympathyin response to Ceepo’s death on Twitter.
“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the young woman who collapsed during the race this morning. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to her family and friends at this time.”
An additionalstatement explainedthat the Cleveland Marathon is currently “looking into” Ceepo’s death and “will respond appropriately once we have examined all options.
On Monday, a preliminary investigation “did not disclose a definitive cause of death,” Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Thomas Gilson said, according to Cleveland.com.
“Further testing and a review of medical history will be conducted in an attempt to establish a cause of death, which may take on the order of weeks. No further information available at this time.”
At the time of the race, temperatures in Cleveland were in the 80s.
In addition to Ceepo, University Hospitals treated around 60 to 70 people for dehydration, muscle strains and orthopedic issues, Cleveland.com reported.
It is not immediately clear if Ceepo’s death or the other cases were related to the weather.
“She had a beautiful smile and was very kind,” Robert Brownfield, the principal of St. Vincent-St. Mary where Ceepo attended high school, said toFox 8.
“She was a social butterfly who was very talkative with her friends. Everyone loved her since she had a very kind spirit about her and was super polite, just a great young lady.”
source: people.com
