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Blood Clot, Not Spider Bite, Kills Robertsdale Teenager
By
Diana Lucio
Published: Sun, September 09, 2007 - 11:17 pm
Last Updated: Monday, September 10, 2007 - 4:03 pm
Last Updated: Monday, September 10, 2007 - 4:03 pm
The pain of losing a child so young and full of life for Teresa and Ronny Smith losing their son still is not something they want to believe. "I got up this morning and honestly at ten-thirty, like I do every Sunday and jumped up and ran down to his room because I thought I'd had a bad dream," said, Ronny Smith, Lanzer's Father.
Matthew Lanzer was only 16 years old. Lanzer was an honor roll student, a Robertsdale football player with a cheerleader girlfriend always by his side. At such a young age he touched the lives of many.
"He'll always be in my heart and never be forgotten...always," said, Deandre Delts, Lanzer's classmate.
Ronny Smith says it was two weeks ago when Lanzer was bitten by what they believe was a Brown Recluse spider during football practice. Smith says Lanzer was treated in the hospital and was put on antibiotics. Smith says after five days, doctors took him off antibiotics. A call which Smith says took his son's life.
"A Brown Recluse is very dangerous but here in the new Millennium of technology you don't hear of people dying of spider bites," said Smith.
Autopsy results are expected to be released Monday that could show exactly why Lanzer died. Meantime a memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. in the Robertsdale High School gym. Grief counselors will also be on hand.
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