Arizona offensive lineman Zach Hemmila died suddenly last month, and an autopsy has revealed drugs were the cause of death.
According to a report from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office that was obtained by Michael Lev of the Arizona Daily Star, two prescription medications were found in Hemmila’s body. One was oxymorphone, an opiate painkiller. The other, alprazolam, is an anxiety medication.
The report also notes that Hemmila’s lungs were “markedly congested” and that he was chewing on “several wads” of tobacco at the time of his death. The 22-year-old passed away in his sleep.
“Arizona Athletics continues to mourn the passing of Zach Hemmila,” the University of Arizona said in a statement Tuesday. “We will honor the family’s request for privacy and support them in any way we can.”
The team is honoring Hemmila with stickers on their helmets and jersey patches. The redshirt senior was expected to start at center for the Wildcats this season.
