The cause of death for 4-month-old Tanna Rae Wroblewski, who died after being exposed to extreme heat during a family boat trip on Lake Havasu in Arizona last summer, has been confirmed.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office announced on Monday, March 5, that Tanna Rae died on July 5, 2024, after losing consciousness around 5 p.m. The medical examiner’s report ruled her death as an accident caused by exposure to extreme environmental temperatures, which were estimated at 120 degrees.
Tanna’s death was linked to complications from heat exposure, which caused hemorrhagic shock, anoxic brain injury, and severe dehydration. Hemorrhagic shock occurs when blood loss leads to inadequate oxygen flow to cells. The brain injury caused swelling due to lack of oxygen. Dehydration led to low fluid levels, a sunken fontanelle, and a sharp drop in blood pressure, which resulted in her loss of consciousness.
Before first responders arrived, family members performed CPR on Tanna. Emergency services transported her to Havasu Regional Medical Center, and she was later airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, but unfortunately passed away there.
Tanna’s mother, Alyssa, shared a tribute to her daughter on Facebook, writing, “Tanna Rae, our real-life angel, became an angel in heaven. We are beyond devastated… I will never understand why you had to leave us.”
The family had made several visits to Lake Havasu since April, with Tanna, born in March 2024, joining them.
A GoFundMe for the family raised over $49,000 before donations were closed.
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