Keli McGregor (Colorado State University) |
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. - A viral illness killed Colorado Rockies team president Keli McGregor, the family announced Monday.
McGregor, 38, was found dead in a Salt Lake City hotel room in April as he was visiting Utah on business.
"Keli McGregor had the heart of a lion. He did not die of a heart attack or of any other preventable heart condition," the family said in a statement. "Instead, his healthy heart was attacked by a rare virus which unfortunately infected the heart muscle, causing the lymphocytic myocarditis that led to Keli's death."
The family said the infection likely occurred during the last week of Keli's life and caused nothing more than flu-like symptoms.
McGregor's sudden death sent shockwaves through the Rockies front office and clubhouse as co-workers and friends struggled with the loss of the charismatic, popular executive. Players have honored McGregor's memory by wearing patches with his initials, KSM, stitched in white on a black background on their uniforms.
"Keli McGregor was a champion of the physical and spiritual health of the heart. He acted as a strong advocate for the early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease, both with the Rockies and throughout Denver and Colorado," the statement read.
"Like you, we miss Keli every minute of every day. We're so very grateful for the love and support shown to our family and we wanted to share this information with all of those who, like us, have searched for answers."
McGregor, 38, was found dead in a Salt Lake City hotel room in April as he was visiting Utah on business.
"Keli McGregor had the heart of a lion. He did not die of a heart attack or of any other preventable heart condition," the family said in a statement. "Instead, his healthy heart was attacked by a rare virus which unfortunately infected the heart muscle, causing the lymphocytic myocarditis that led to Keli's death."
The family said the infection likely occurred during the last week of Keli's life and caused nothing more than flu-like symptoms.
McGregor's sudden death sent shockwaves through the Rockies front office and clubhouse as co-workers and friends struggled with the loss of the charismatic, popular executive. Players have honored McGregor's memory by wearing patches with his initials, KSM, stitched in white on a black background on their uniforms.
"Keli McGregor was a champion of the physical and spiritual health of the heart. He acted as a strong advocate for the early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease, both with the Rockies and throughout Denver and Colorado," the statement read.
"Like you, we miss Keli every minute of every day. We're so very grateful for the love and support shown to our family and we wanted to share this information with all of those who, like us, have searched for answers."
