Medical examiner confirms cause of death for soccer player Chase Stegall

Chase Stegall, a sophomore midfielder at age 20, was found dead in his residence hall on the morning of June 2 on Chicago's Lincoln Park campus. His friends describe a good soul, completely committed to his craft and community.

Recent developments have now made it clear why the tragic explanation. The Cook County Medical Examiner has officially classified his death as "sudden unexpected death in epilepsy" and ruled the cause of death as natural. While it is extremely tragic, this ruling provides closure to a tragic campus and family.

Chase Stegall's cause of death and community reactions

The news was a shock throughout DePaul's campus and outside the world of sports. The untimely death of Chase caused a rush of sympathies from teammates, classmates, professors, and the broader soccer and academic communities, all grieving over the loss of a young man with a good name for being kind and upright.

Who was Chase? A native of Atlanta and a midfielder, he played in 16 of the team's 17 games during the 2024 season. Jolted by initial setbacks and a freshman-year injury, he rebounded to score his first college goal in a memory that he termed unforgettable.

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In February, Chase Stegall penned an essay on DePaul's athletic website, detailing how a past seizure brought the team and coaches together around him. He wrote of waking up in the hospital with his coach at his side and notes of concern from teammates that followed instantly, which made him feel firmly rooted at DePaul.

It is a bitter reminder that even in youth and athleticism, conditions like epilepsy can silently be deadly. Chase Stegall was more than a soccer player; he was a young man navigating dreams, disappointments, and resilience with grace. His death leaves an emptiness felt much larger than the playing field. In remembering him, it's important to continue raising awareness of sudden epilepsy-related deaths and recall the man behind the headlines: a teammate, a son, a brother, and a friend.

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