Teen death was not suspicious, Cuba says
Family says Belleville student who died on grad trip was a loving, caring young woman
The death of an Ontario teenager in Cuba last month has been attributed to natural causes by local authorities, according to her Cuban death certificate.
Alexandra Sagriff, 18, was found dead in her Varadero hotel room on July 6, while on a graduation trip organized by S-Trip, a private travel company geared toward high school students.
Sagriff died of heart and lung-related issues including acute pulmonary edema, acute myocardial infarction and ischemic heart failure, says a death certificate issued by Dr. Sergio Piera, director of Cuba’s Institute of Legal Medicine.
No alcohol was found in Sagriff’s system, says the certificate, which was provided to the Star by S-Trip.
Sagriff’s family declined to comment on the findings of the Cuban autopsy, but issued a written statement through S-Trip.
“It is unfortunate and hurtful that there continue to be individuals who insist on talking about Alexandra in a way that questions her character and dishonours her memory,” her family wrote.
“She was a loving and caring young woman who was always well respected and loved by all.”
S-Trip has been in consistent contact with Sagriff’s family since the death, said Samia Makhlouf, a public relations professional working for S-Trip.
Sagriff was a recent graduate of St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School in Belleville, Ont., and was preparing to attend Loyalist College in the fall, her family said shortly after her death.
“Alex was an amazing young woman, she had a ton of friends, and has a ton of family who loves her,” her family said at the time.