Avery Atkins dead

**imported_mega** · July 5th, 2007, 05:40 PM

Former Gator DB found dead in his car.

**1inStripes** · July 5th, 2007, 05:51 PM

So he went tits up.........................

I was reading that a few minutes ago on ESPN. Sounds like a kid that had a bad drug problem. I wonder how much the death was related to it.

**imported_mega** · July 5th, 2007, 05:53 PM

From the way it sounds, he committed suicide via carbon monoxide poisoning in the car port. Thats speculation on my part but he definietely had some problems in the past, I think 3 arrests.

**1inStripes** · July 5th, 2007, 06:19 PM

Well, I was thinking that, but they said the garage door was up I thought. Maybe a hose was ran from the exhaust into the car though.

**imported_mega** · July 5th, 2007, 07:16 PM

could be, I hadnt heard that part. This could get interesting.

**BlueWahooChambordDevil** · July 6th, 2007, 10:56 AM

two stories being thrown around last night were the hose in the car and an OD

**smarty** · July 6th, 2007, 05:02 PM

via gatorbait

Updated 3:52 p.m. Urban Meyer released this statement Thursday on the death of Avery Atkins: "We are saddened to hear the news regarding Avery. We share our grief with the Atkins' family and those close to them."

Atkins was found dead in his garage Thursday morning.
Florida State quarterback Xavier Lee on Atkins' death. Lee played his high school ball at Daytona Beach Seabreeze: "I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news. I got a call earlier today and I couldn't believe it. It is just sad. I played football with Avery. I knew his family. I am going to go back home for the funeral and pay my respects. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

"Bethune-Cookman University as well as the football players, coaches and staff are saddened by this tragic turn of events," coach Alvin B. Wyatt, Sr., said Thursday in a statement. "Our sympathy goes out to the family. While I did not have the opportunity to work with Avery towards receiving a degree at Bethune-Cookman University, the short time we did have the chance to work with him was one of the most satisfying relationships that a player/coach can establish. I know that his family was very supportive of him, and they also supported his decision to attend Bethune-Cookman University. Once again, our condolences go out to the family."

Former Florida cornerback Avery Atkins was reportedly found dead in the garage of his home Thursday morning, according to multiple reports. Atkins, 20, a former Daytona Beach Mainland standout, was found in his car and could not be revived by emergency personnel.

"We are investigating it as a suspicious death," Port Orange Sgt. Wayne Dorman told the Orlando Sentinel. "In an abundance of caution, we're looking at all angles. It doesn't appear anyone else is involved at this point."

According to reports, Atkins was found at about 8 a.m. by his aunt who called police. Dorman told the Sentinel that there were no outward signs of trauma to Atkins and the garage door was open. A report on the Daytona Beach News-Journal Web site states Atkins was found in the driveway and not the garage.

According to a report, Atkins was taken to Halifax Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is expected to take place Thursday and the police are awaiting those results.

Atkins was arrested early Monday in Ormond Beach and charged with possession of crack cocaine. In June, Atkins was stopped in Daytona Beach and charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia along with carrying a concealed firearm. He was also arrested on May 1 and charged with aggravated assault.

Atkins was suspended from the Florida team last year while being investigated for an altercation with his child's mother. He was charged with domestic battery in that incident.

Atkins entered a deferred prosecution agreement and was required to complete a 26-week domestic violence intervention program and remain on probation for nine months.

Atkins asked for and was granted his release from Florida last summer and enrolled at Bethune-Cookman but didn't last long there, either.

He was a four-star prospect out of Mainland and Rivals.com rated him as the ninth-best cornerback nationally and No. 9 in the Florida Top 100 of 2005.

Atkins was ranked No. 84 in the Rivals100 that year. He picked the Gators over Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, Michigan, South Carolina and Auburn. As a senior in high school, Atkins finished with 42 tackles and seven interceptions.