Charlbi Dean's cause of death confirmed: What is bacterial sepsis?
The medical examiner said the South African's tragic passing was an accident.
Julia Ranney
·Lifestyle Editor
Thu, 22 December 2022 at 11:21 pm SGT·5-min read
In this article:
- Charlbi Dean
South African model and actress
Actress Charlbi Dean passed away from bacterial sepsis at age 32. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Charlbi Dean's cause of death has been revealed after her sudden passing at the age of 32.
In August, the "Triangle of Sadness" star — whose full name is Charlbi Dean Kreik — died in New York City "from an unexpected and sudden illness," which was not disclosed at the time.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner told People that the actress died from bacterial sepsis.
The condition "was a complication from asplenia," the absence of a spleen, due to "remote blunt trauma to her torso," the spokesperson said. The South African's passing was determined an accident.
The sepsis was triggered after the model was infected by bacteria known as Capnocytophaga — which is present in the mouths of cats and dogs and can sometimes be found in humans.
While this bacterial infection is rare, people without spleens and with autoimmune issues are more susceptible.
In August, the "Triangle of Sadness" star suddenly passed away. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
As the medical examiner did not make their full autopsy public, it's unclear if an animal bite or lick was responsible for the "Black Lightning" actress' infection.
Shortly after her passing, Dean's brother Alex Jacobs told Rolling Stone that her death happened after she began experiencing "minor" symptoms. Dean asked her fiancé Luke Volker to take her to the hospital, where she died hours later.
"This happened literally within the span of a day: getting a headache, going to sleep, waking up her boyfriend and saying please take me to the hospital," Jacobs told Rolling Stone.
In 2009, Dean was involved in a "very, very bad car accident" which caused doctors to remove her spleen. She also suffered broken ribs and a broken back.
"[The spleen is] involved in fighting off infections, and that could have had something to do with what happened," Jacobs said. "Her spleen not being there just added on to the reason why she perhaps couldn't fight it off."
According to Sepsis Canada, sepsis is a "life-threatening illness that is caused by body’s overreaction to an infection." (Photo via Getty Images)
What is bacterial sepsis?
According to Sepsis Canada, sepsis is a "life-threatening illness that is caused by body’s overreaction to an infection already present in the body. This infection can be bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal."Usually, someone's immune system fights off the infection. However, with sepsis, the body triggers a response that causes extreme inflammation and blood clotting — even in previously health organs.
Examples of infections that commonly lead to sepsis include pneumonia, parasites, viruses, influenza and stomach infections. In Dean's case, a bacterial infection caused her sepsis, which is the most common form of the condition.
Without timely treatment, sepsis can quickly lead to organ failure, tissue damage and death.
Sepsis in any form in not contagious, but you can spread infections to other people.
