The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that Hank Aaron died of natural causes.
The legendary baseball player and Civil Rights activist passed away Friday (January 22). He was 86.
The determination comes after Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Morehouse School of Medicine officials said that Aaron’s death was not related to his recent COVID-19 vaccination, according to WSB-TV Atlanta.
“His passing was not related to the vaccine, nor did he experience any side effects from the immunization,” Morehouse School of Medicine said in a statement, adding, as the Atlanta Braves confirmed, “he passed away peacefully in his sleep.”
Several outlets will broadcast memorial services planned for Aaron, slated for Tuesday (January 26) at Truist Park and Wednesday (January 27) at Friendship Baptist Church, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday (January 25).
Aaron’s family requested donations to his Chasing the Dream Foundation in lieu of flowers, the Journal-Constitution added.
Fans are mourning Aaron’s loss and brainstorming ways to honor him, including a proposal to rename the Atlanta Braves.
More than 800 people have signed a petition on Change.org, advocating to rename the team the Atlanta Hammers, a nod to Aaron’s famous “Hammerin’ Hank” nickname. Other petitions aim to rename Truist Park in honor of Aaron.
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