ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas died of “complications of a seizure disorder,” according to an autopsy report from the Fulton County (Ga.) Medical Examiner’s Office.
Portions of the report were shared with ESPN on Friday. Thomas was found dead at his home in Roswell, Georgia on December 9 at the age of 33 and an autopsy was performed the following day.
In December, the coroner’s office released a statement that “the cause and manner of death are pending finalization of laboratory testing and microscopic tissue sampling.” In the final report, the coroner said Thomas’ manner of death remains undetermined and it is not known if the seizure disorders were the result of natural causes and as a result of impacts on Thomas’ head during his NFL career.
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Last month, Boston University researchers told ABC News that Thomas suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease, but said CTE did not cause his death. The autopsy report said the same researchers said they did not believe Thomas’ CTE caused the seizures.
The autopsy report indicated that Thomas, who was found dead in the shower, had trace amounts of nicotine and marijuana in his system, but neither was listed as a contributing factor to his death.
At the time of his death, some of Thomas’s family members said publicly that he suffered from seizures for about a year prior to his death. Several former teammates also said at the time Thomas had told them he had been suffering from seizures in recent months.
Thomas’ signature smile and ever-present desire for those in need made him one of the franchise’s most popular players in the community. His death sent shock waves through the NFL and Denver.
Thomas, who would have turned 34 at Christmas, announced his retirement from the NFL last June with a short video flashing a peace sign and a smile.
Thomas was the first of two first-round picks for the Broncos in the 2010 NFL draft — Tim Tebow was the other — and spent nine seasons with the team. He finished his career as the Broncos’ second-leading receiver (9,055 yards), behind only Rod Smith. He is third in franchise history in catches (655) behind Smith and Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.
Thomas played 10 total seasons for the Broncos, Houston Texans and New York Jets, finishing the tournament with 724 catches for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns.