According to documents filed in Boone County Circuit court, a tentative settlement agreement has been reached in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of MU football player Aaron O’Neal against employees of MU’s athletic department.
Back on July 12, 2005, 19 year old O’Neal died after collapsing at a voluntary football practice. According to Boone County Medical Examiner Valerie Rao’s autopsy report, O’Neal died from a lymphocytic meningitis infection. A letter from University Hosptial neurologist Douglas Anthony found sickled red blood cell in O’Neal’s brain, a condition which is commonly found in people with sickle-cell trait.
In August of 2005, O’Neal’s father filed a wrongful death lawsuit against 14 coaches, trainers and employees of the MU Athletic Department, including MU football coach Gary Pinkel and Athletic Director Mike Alden.
In a letter, from Michael C. Rader who represents Deborah O’Neal, to the court’s civil division, it states the case was recently settled.
