Autopsy: Mix of pain meds killed Irwin soldier

Autopsy: Mix of pain meds killed Irwin soldier
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 22, 2008 8:08:04 EDT

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — An autopsy of a soldier who died while training at Fort Irwin has revealed she was killed by a combination of prescription drugs she was taking for pain.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department made the finding about the accidental death of Spc. Emily T. Ort, 24, of Willis, Texas.

“There is no evidence of suicide,” the report said. “The decedent did not have a history of chronic drug abuse.”

On May 3, Ort was discovered unresponsive in her sleeping bag and was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy was performed a few days later, but the report was not released until this week.

Ort had acetaminophen, morphine, hydrocodone and gabapentin as well as anti-anxiety drugs Valium and oxazepam in her system, the report said.

The soldier was apparently taking Vicodin and Valium for injuries she sustained during a 2007 car accident.

The night before she died, Ort told her mother that her medication was stolen and her doctor prescribed morphine and a muscle relaxer as replacements, the report said.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_irwindeath_082208/