HOUSTON, TX – The Harris County Medical Examiner on Thursday released the cause of deaths of the victims killed in a crowd surge at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival.
The Medical Examiner ruled “compression asphyxia” was the cause of deaths for all 10 victims and one victim, a 27-year-old man, had contributing factors of “combined toxic effects of cocaine, methamphetamine, and ethanol.”
#BREAKING: Cause of death for all 10 victims of #ASTROWORLDFest is "Compression asphyxia", according to the PIO for Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. @NewsNationNow pic.twitter.com/FE9YODs5c0
— Ava Pittman (@AvaPittmanTV) December 16, 2021
The victims were identified as Ezra Blount, 9, from Houston; John Hilgert, 14, from Houston; Brianna Rodriguez, 16, from Houston; Jacob “Jake” Jurinek, 20, from Illinois; Franco Patiño, 21, from Illinois; Axel Acosta, 21, from Washington State; Bharti Shahani, 22, from Houston; Madison Dubiski, 23, from Cypress; Rodolfo “Rudy” Angel Peña, 23, from Laredo; and Danish Baig, 27, from Euless.
According to The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, compression asphyxia is a type of mechanical asphyxia, where respiration is prevented by external pressure on the body, at the same time inhibiting respiratory movements and compromising venous return from the head. It is usually due to heavy weight compressing the chest or the abdomen.
Travis Scott recently spoke out about the tragic event. Watch here.
