Former NFL star Demaryius Thomas, who died in December, complications from epilepsy have been confirmed as the official cause of death. Thomas had died in December at the age of just 33.

Cologne – Complications due to epilepsy have been confirmed as the official cause of death for former NFL star Demaryius Thomas, who died in December aged just 33.

This is the result of the autopsy report, parts of which are available to ESPN. According to the report, the death of the 2016 Super Bowl champion was the result of seizures.

In July, it became known that Thomas, like many other professional football players, suffered from the degenerative brain disease CTE. This was the result of an examination of the brain by doctors at Boston University. The former wide receiver Thomas was found dead in Roswell/Georgia, his death caused great consternation in the US professional league NFL.

“CTE itself does not cause death “

Even then, Boston neuropathologist Ann McKee had suspected a seizure as the likely cause of death. “CTE itself doesn’t cause death,” McKee clarified to ABC News, “CTE changes behaviour and personality.” Thomas was plagued by depression, anxiety attacks and panic attacks before his death, according to family reports.

CTE occurs as a result of frequent head trauma and can only be diagnosed post-mortem. The condition has been identified in more than 300 former NFL players.