Tommy Hanson, a former pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels, passed away on November 9, 2015, at the age of 29. He was found unresponsive at a friend’s house in Newnan, Georgia, and was rushed to a hospital, where he died the following night. His death shocked and saddened the baseball world, as he was remembered as a talented and promising player who had a bright future ahead of him.
But what exactly caused his death? And was it related to his use of drugs or alcohol? Here is what we know so far based on the available information.
Autopsy Report
According to the autopsy report released by the Coweta County coroner Dr. Richard Hawk, Hanson’s death was caused by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, which is a condition that occurs when several organs fail to function properly due to severe illness or injury. The report also stated that the death was an accident and the cause was illicit cocaine use.
The report did not specify how much cocaine Hanson had consumed or when he had used it, but it did mention that he had delayed complications of cocaine and alcohol toxicity, which means that the substances had a harmful effect on his body over time. The report also noted that Hanson had a history of drug abuse and depression.
Emergency Call
The emergency call that was made by Hanson’s friend Brandon Bond on November 8, 2015, also indicated that Hanson may have overdosed on drugs or alcohol. According to the sheriff’s report, Bond called 911 to report that Hanson was not breathing and that he had seen him drink alcohol and snort cocaine the night before. The report also listed “overdose” as a possible crime incident.
When the rescue crews arrived at the scene, they found Hanson lying on a bed with no pulse and performed CPR on him. They also administered Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of opioid overdose, but it did not work. Hanson was then taken to the hospital, where he remained in a coma until his death.
Personal Struggles
Hanson’s personal life was also marked by some struggles that may have contributed to his substance abuse and mental health issues. In 2013, while he was playing for the Angels, he lost his younger brother Aaron, who died unexpectedly at the age of 26. Hanson took a three-week leave of absence from the team to grieve and cope with his loss.
“I was having mental issues with the death of my younger brother,” Hanson said at the time. “I was just trying to get through it. I didn’t know how to handle it. That was the first time anything like that had ever happened to me. I didn’t know how to cope with it.”
Hanson also dealt with some physical problems that affected his performance and career. He suffered from a shoulder injury and a back ailment that altered his pitching mechanics and reduced his velocity. He went from being one of the top prospects in baseball to being traded by the Braves to the Angels in 2012. He made only 15 appearances for the Angels in 2013 and did not pitch in the majors since then. He spent the 2014 season in the minors with the White Sox and Giants organizations and signed a minor league deal with the Rangers in 2015, but he was released in May after posting a 6.16 ERA in four starts.
Conclusion
Tommy Hanson’s cause of death was officially determined to be multiple organ dysfunction syndrome due to illicit cocaine use, according to the autopsy report. However, his death may have also been influenced by his personal struggles with depression, grief, and injury, as well as his possible overdose on drugs or alcohol. His tragic story serves as a reminder of the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of mental health awareness.
