Nationwide — Earlier this year, Natalie Michelle Black, a 19-year-old African American college track athlete from Terry, Mississippi, died unexpectedly after competing in her first outdoor meet of the season. She had just set a personal record in the triple jump before returning home and falling asleep. She never woke up.Natalie, a sophomore at Belhaven University, competed in Clinton on March 1 and reached 11.01 meters in the triple jump, earning second place. After the meet, she went home to celebrate with her family, according to People. Later that night, she lay down on the couch to rest and passed away in her sleep.
Her mother, Formeka Black, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook. “She made the best triple jump record she ever had, beat her personal record!!,” she wrote. “And later into the night, still celebrating with family, she simply lay on the couch for a little nap and never woke up. I THANK GOD. There was no suffering. HE gave us that much Grace!”
Natalie was born in Jackson on January 9, 2006. Her family and friends described her as positive, joyful, and full of life. “When she comes into the room, the energy shifts. She’s so positive and loving,” Formeka said.
The cause of death was determined to be sudden cardiac arrest.