Autopsy of Dead NJ Football Player Released
Evan Murray, a high school senior, died shortly after he walked off the field.
-- New details have been released about the New Jersey football player who died last Friday after being injured on the field.
Evan Murray died from massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to a laceration of the spleen, according to the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office. Doctor Ronald Suarez, the Morris County Medical Examiner, conducted an autopsy on Murray and determined that Murray's spleen was abnormally enlarged thus making it more susceptible to injury. There was no evidence of head trauma or heart disease. The manner of death was accidental.
Murray, the senior quarterback for the Warren Hills Regional High School team in Washington, N.J., collapsed after he was hit on the field during a game last Friday. According to witnesses who spoke to ABC New York station WABC, Murray walked off the football field by himself but appeared woozy after being sacked in the backfield.
A memorial was held Saturday morning at the school to remember the young athlete. According to WABC, Murray's girlfriend left a heartbreaking note that read "Losing you last night was the most devastating thing I have ever endured. I will love you forever."
Murray's funeral is scheduled for this Thursday. Grief counselors were on hand at the high school to comfort Murray's classmates and fellow teammates.
"There are no words to express how touched we are by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support from not only our local community but from people across the country," the Murray family said in a statement to ABC News. "We thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts during this unimaginable time."
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and the New York Jets tweeted their support for the Murray family.