A lifeguard found dead in the US Virgin Islands in February died of accidental fentanyl poisoning, officials confirmed this week.
Jamie Cail, 42, is believed to have died of cardiac arrest.
On February 21, her boyfriend found her unconscious on the floor of his home on the island of St. John, where she lived and worked in a bookstore.
On August 22, a USVI coroner announced that she died of “fentanyl poisoning with aspiration of gastric contents.”
As a teenager, Cail was a member of the US team at the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships, winning a gold medal in the team’s 800-meter free relay.
Jamie Cail, 42, was found unresponsive by her boyfriend – who could not be identified – on February 21, prompting police to launch a criminal investigation
Authorities confirmed the medalist (second from right) was discovered on the floor of her boyfriend’s St. John Island home before being taken to the Myrah Keating-Smith Clinic
When she arrived with her partner and a friend, hospital staff at St. John’s administered CPR and “said she was in cardiac arrest,” but Cail “succumbed” and passed away in the early hours of the morning.
Investigators were briefed on the case of the dead on arrival and an autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death.
Deaths from fentanyl, a powerful opioid used to treat pain, have increased in the United States in recent years.
In 2021 there were more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths, most of which were caused by fentanyl.
While there is significant drug trafficking in the US Virgin Islands, primarily cocaine and marijuana, fentanyl has not been a major problem in that area until recently.
Cail’s death is the second on the islands to be caused by the drugs.
The first reported fentanyl-related death in the US Virgin Islands occurred on April 28, 2021, when 30-year-old Rachl “Starchild” Atnip was found dead at her home on St. Thomas.
Police have not said if they are investigating the source of the fentanyl that led to Cail’s death, and it is not known if other fentanyl-laced drugs are currently being sold on the street.
Her family said she was “devastated” and “shattered to the core” by her death, but friends posted several cryptic messages about the tragic swimmer’s death.
One claimed she was “trying to flee” and added that she “deserves justice” even though there have been no arrests in connection with her death.
They described her as an “amazing person and friend,” while writing in a separate post about Cali that they “would find out the truth.”
Another post, which also appeared to be about the swimmer, said, “She was trying to escape to start healing.” Unfortunately, she didn’t make it in time. You were so close honey
The former University of Maine swimmer worked at a coffee shop and bookstore in St. John.
Heartbroken residents left their tribute to the award-winning swimmer in front of the store, along with flowers.
Her family said her death was “devastated” and “shattered to the core,” and friends posted several cryptic messages about the tragic swimmer’s death
Heartbroken residents left their tribute to the award-winning swimmer in front of the store, along with flowers
The former University of Maine swimmer worked at a coffee shop and bookstore in St. John
Cail, from Claremont, New Hampshire, was a star swimmer who competed across the United States in her youth.
A friend told WMUR, “She was just her, she was a very beautiful person.” She had a big heart.
“She was really loving and kind and very popular and popular on the island and everyone knows her.”
Cail was a teenage member of the US team at the 1997 Pan Pacific Championships, where she won a gold medal in the team’s 800-meter free relay, according to SwimSwam.
She also won a silver medal at the 1998-1999 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Brazil.
A friend claimed she was “trying to flee” and added that she “deserves justice” even though there were no arrests in connection with her death
In 1996–1997, Cail was named in United States Swimming’s ten top 16 lists, along with Bolles, and was a collegiate swimmer at USC
The swim star attended the Bolles School in Jackson, Florida, which is known for its swimming program.
Cail still holds the records for 200 yard fly, 400 yard IM, 200 yard IM and 400 yard IM in the 15-16 year old age group.
She won multiple high school state championships in Huntington Beach, where she relocated to train at the Golden West Swim Club in California.
As a member of the United States B-level swimming team, she won a silver medal in the 800 freestyle at the 1998-1999 FINA World Swimming Cup in Brazil.
In 1996–1997, Cail was named in United States Swimming’s ten top 16 lists, along with Bolles, and was a collegiate swimmer at USC.