Former Miss USA North Dakota died of rare heart condition

MINNEAPOLIS – An investigation has concluded that a former contestant in the Miss USA pageant from North Dakota died of a genetic heart condition.

The Hennepin County medical examiner’s office said Thursday that Samantha Edwards died of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ah-RITH’-muh-jen-ihk kar-dee-oh-meye-AH’-pa-thee), a rare disease of the heart muscle. The inherited condition causes abnormal heart rhythms.

Edwards was 37 when she was found dead in her home in north Minneapolis on June 14. The medical examiner determined she died of natural causes.

Edwards, known as Sami, represented North Dakota in the Miss USA pageant in 2003. She had been working as a freelance makeup artist in the Minneapolis area.

Her funeral was held June 24 in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles