Dead Local Student Had Been 'In Perfect Health,' Father Says

The father of Katherine Evans--the San Marino teen who'd been excited about starting  in the fall, but died unexpectedly in June--told Patch that his daughter had been in "perfect health'' prior to her death.

"We do not know the precise cause of Katherine's death. She was in perfect health and athletic. She played soccer and ran track,'' Gregory Evans wrote Friday in an email to Patch.

The San Marino resident graduated from Holy Family School on June 10. Two days later, the 14-year-old died—18 days short of her birthday.

Evans said the medical examiner has reported preliminary findings that show negative toxicology, negative disease, tumor, cancer, infection or any other medical condition that could have caused her heart to stop suddenly.

The current preliminary theory reported by the medical examiner is "heart failure caused by cold water immersion," Evans wrote.

Katherine had attended a graduation pool party with her class and some of their parents on June 11, a source who identified herself as a friend of the family told Patch in June. After getting out of the pool on her own, Katherine had a seizure, the source said. From there, the girl was taken to Huntington Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A video eulogy posted to You Tube depicts lots of happy images of Katherine, including several of her smiling in a Tologs sweatshirt, as well as a blue cap and gown. 

On June 14, Flintridge Sacred Heart posted condolences to the Evans family on its Facebook page. The message reads: "The Flintridge Sacred Heart community grieves with our friends at Holy Family School upon the loss of recent Holy Family graduate and incoming FSHA freshman Katherine Evans. We ask that all pray for her family and friends in this time of great sorrow.''