Investigation finds teen who died on Pillen farm likely had allergic reaction

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The teenager who died on a farm partially owned by Gov. Jim Pillen likely had an allergic reaction, the coroner found.

Channel 8 received a copy of Zachary Panther’s autopsy report in the mail on Friday after filing a public records request.

The report says the 17-year-old’s cause of death is undetermined.

But the most likely cause was an anaphylactic reaction to an unknown substance, officials said.

SEE ALSO: 17-year-old found dead on Pillen hog farm in central Nebraska

Panther was found dead on April 1 at a hog farm near St. Edward, which is northwest of Columbus.

The location is part of Pillen Family Farms.

Panther did not have any known allergies, but the report said it could explain his fatigue and other symptoms he had before his death.

Officials said they can’t rule out that Panther may have been exposed to something at work that contributed to his death.

But the report says gas levels were normal in his blood and urine and in the room where he died.