Former LSU third baseman Wally Pontiff died of natural causes, a coroner's report revealed Monday, but an autopsy showed an unspecified abnormality of the heart that forensic investigators said must be researched further to identify the official cause of death.
Complete toxicology studies conducted on Pontiff were negative, investigators said, revealing no illegal drugs, no prescription drugs and no over-the-counter drugs in Pontiff's system.
Dr. Robert E. Treuting, coroner for the Jefferson Parish Forensic Center in Harvey, released a three-paragraph statement about the autopsy conducted on Pontiff last Thursday, the day after he died in his sleep in his parents' home in Metairie. The news release indicated there was no evidence of "foul play" and listed the manner of Pontiff's death as natural.
"An abnormality was found in the heart," Dr. Treuting's report states, "but final diagnosis is being deferred until microscopic examination is complete. When these studies are complete, the cause of death will be released."
Pontiff, 21, died Wednesday morning in bed. According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, a family member tried unsuccessfully to wake Pontiff and called 911 for help. Emergency medical service attendants were unable to revive him, and he was declared dead at 9:36 a.m. at his parents' residence, the Jefferson Parish coroner's office said.
A spokesperson at the coroner's office said it could be weeks before the cause of death is determined. The lead investigator of Pontiff's death who performed the autopsy Thursday was unavailable for comment Monday.
Pontiff played three seasons at LSU and was a team captain and spokesman.
A popular player with fans and teammates, he was trying to decide whether to return to LSU for his senior season or sign a professional contract. The Oakland A's selected him in the 21st round of the 2002 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft last month.
