By AP/KWMU
Columbia, MO – The Mizzou football player who died after a workout in July of viral meningitis also was a carrier of a sickle cell trait.
That has some medical experts suggesting that that inherited condition played a larger role in Aaron O'Neal's death than his autopsy report suggests.
The Boone County Medical Examiner, Valerie Rao, has repeatedly denied any connection between sickle cell trait and O'Neal's death.
But a neuro-pathologist in Columbia who examined O'Neal's brain, Douglas Anthony, concluded otherwise, saying both meningitis and the sickle cell trait are potential factors.
There are no plans to reopen the investigation.
The Columbia Missourian also contacted other doctors in reporting this story; they agreed agreed O'Neal most likely died from sickle cell trait in combination with heat stroke or exercise-related muscle damage.