St. Charles teen died of heart condition, coroner says

A common heart disorder is likely to blame for the death of a St. Charles North High School senior who collapsed at drill team practice last week, the Kane County coroner's office said Monday afternoon.

Preliminary autopsy results indicate 18-year-old Lauren Laman died of mitral valve prolapse, a condition that occurs when a valve between the upper left and lower left heart chambers doesn't close properly. Results from toxicology tests are pending.

Laman of St. Charles collapsed during drill team practice Friday at North, 255 Red Gate Road. She was taken to Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, where she was pronounced dead at 5:37 p.m., officials said.

North Principal Kim Zupec said crisis team members will be available again today to meet with grieving staff and students. Counselors were on site Saturday and Monday.

"We're going to make sure we keep (counselors) here as long as they're needed," Zupec said Monday.

Mayo Clinic describes mitral valve prolapse on its Web site as a "common" heart condition that is "harmless and doesn't require treatment or changes in lifestyle" for most people, although it sometimes can lead to blood flow problems in the heart. The condition affects a little more than 2 percent of adults in the United States, according to the clinic.

Symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness and shortness of breath are common among some sufferers. But many people with the condition never experience symptoms, the clinic said.

The youngest of four children, Laman is being remembered by friends and family for her bubbly personality and devotion to others. She was heavily involved with the drill team and planned to begin work on a dance degree at Northern Illinois University in the fall, relatives said.

For the tight-knit North community, Laman's death is a tragic loss, Zupec said.

"Because they're so successful in competition, the majority of our students know the drill team," Zupec said. "Lauren was, by all means, probably one of the most positive, bright young ladies you could meet."

Visitation is scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at Salerno Rosedale Chapels, 450 Lake St., Roselle. A service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 Rush St., Roselle.