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The Associated Press - (Published November 1, 2003)

According to the autopsy report released Friday, Holly Patterson died of septic shock caused by endomyometritis, an inflammation of the uterus. The report says that endomyometritis was caused by a drug-induced abortion.

Endomyometritris is an infection of the womb that more typically is a complication of a cesarean section and septic shock is an often fatal collapse of blood pressure caused by infection.

Although Patterson died just days after initiating an abortion with the drug RU-486, the controversial abortion medication was not specifically mentioned in the teen's Cause of Death report.

The finding is consistent with what doctors at Valley Care Medical Center in Pleasanton told Holly's father, Monty Patterson, in the hours after her death Sept. 17.

"This confirms what we believed is the cause of Holly's death," said Helen Wilson-Patterson, in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

The 18-year-old was given the abortion pill a week earlier by a Planned Parenthood Clinic in Hayward, where she sought it without the knowledge of her father. When she fell ill Sept. 14, her boyfriend rushed her to Valley Care Medical Center, where she reportedly was told that her pain and bleeding were normal, and she was sent home with painkillers.

She returned to the hospital three days later, on Sept. 17, and died.

The teenager's death has become a cause celebre among anti-abortion groups, though her grief-stricken father has not taken a political position.

"I am not putting out a pro-choice or pro-life stand," he explained. "We need to know that drugs are safe, and if they are not safe, do something about it."

Patterson also said he and his wife feel it is their duty to inform other teenagers, young adults and parents about the "grave dangers" of the drug.

RU-486 is a drug that causes a non-surgical abortion sometimes compared to a miscarriage.