Report: Harry Cohen Cause of Death Ruled Accidental

Quarterback took grandmother's pain medication

BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) — The death of star Williams High School quarterback Harry Cohen has been ruled accidental.

Citing the death certificate filed in Orange County, 'The Burlington Times News' reported the official causes of death were methadone toxicity and cardiopulmonary arrest. The box for "accident" was also checked.

The Times News reported Cohen had taken either one or two methadone pills that were prescribed to his grandmother. His father told the paper the family was advised that half a pill could have killed him.

At 150 pounds and almost zero body fat, the only thing left to absorb the powerful narcotic was Cohen's organs.

"That night, for whatever reason, he took them for pain," said Richard Kaffenberger, Cohen's stepfather. "You're 17, perfectly healthy and invincible and your feeble grandmother can take six a day, why would wouldn't you take a few for pain?"

It was a fatal decision.

"There was nothing to absorb the medicine," he said. "It caused him to stop breathing, and he went into cardiac arrest."