By EMS1 Staff
SAN DIEGO — The death of an EMT who died five days after getting into a fight in March was ruled a homicide.
Documents that were unsealed Saturday revealed that Connor Kepple, 21, did not seek medical attention after engaging in a violent scuffle with bar staff March 5. Following the confrontation, Kepple visited the hospital twice over the next three days. He initially went in for pain in his left thigh, and then for worsening pain and nausea.
Five days later, Kepple died on his 21st birthday. He was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare flesh-eating disease, reported NBC San Diego.
Police received a call from a local hospital reporting Kepple suffered possible blunt force trauma and was in serious condition on March 9.
Kepple worked for MaxCare ambulance.
Following his death, Kepple’s mother wrote in a public post, “After three ER visits and four surgeries, our sweet Connor lost his brave battle. He went to heaven on his 21st birthday. There is nothing his friends could have done to prevent this tragic and heart wrenching outcome.”
Police are still investigating, and no arrests have been made.