South African model and actress Dean of the Faculty of Charlbiwas ruled an accident by a coroner.
The 32-year-old man’s full name is Charlbi Dean Kriek, passed away suddenly on August 29th after waking up with a headache. She has just Engaged to model boyfriend Luke Volker in April.
At the time, her brother, Alex Jacobs, told the media that the cause of her death was still unknown.
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Now, the New York City Medical Director’s Office has confirmed Everybody that Dean died of bacterial sepsis, which was related to the removal of her spleen.
Dean is said to have had her spleen removed 10 years ago after being in a serious car accident. The impact of the collision broke her back and ribs, and left her with severe midsection injuries.
Without a spleen, Dean is more susceptible to complications from infection.
A coroner later ruled the South African model’s death was an accident.
Based on EverybodyDean developed sepsis after she was infected with a bacteria called Capnocytophaga. Australian spleen explains that Capnocytophaga is a bacterium that “lives harmlessly in the mouths and claws of certain animals such as cats and dogs.”
This bacteria is especially harmful to people without a functioning spleen and can lead to serious infections.
Signs of a Capnocytophaga infection are nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, chills, and confusion. Medical advice is to seek emergency medical attention if these signs appear.
It was not revealed if Dean was bitten or scratched by an animal before she died.
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Dean died just four months after her boyfriend, 26-year-old Volker, proposed to her.
On the day of Dean’s death, the model woke up with a headache, fell asleep and woke up again but this time asked Volker to take her to the hospital. She died a few hours later.
After Dean’s death, a heartbroken Volker shared a heartbreaking video to Instagram.
“Hello everyone. I just wanted to post a picture of Charlbi, but it’s a bit difficult,” he said. “And I just wanted to let you know that I see all your messages, all the love and I appreciate it. I really do. I just can’t reply to them right now. But thank you guys. I appreciate that.” I love you.”
In a more recent update for fans, Volker shared another video he calls “proof of life”.
“I cry every day,” he said. “I think about Charlbi most of the day, but recently I’ve started training again. Everyday. And I’ll build my career together and I’ll be fine.”
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