Autopsy finds stroke, not vaccine, caused Blowing Rock woman's death

A Blowing Rock woman who passed away 48 hours after receiving the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine died from a stroke related to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

That official cause of death is listed in an autopsy report on Virginia Ellington recently released to WRAL News. The autopsy was performed by Dr. William Harrison at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on behalf of the state. He did not list the vaccine as a cause of death.

Ellington, a 63-year-old college professor, was found dead by her husband in her bed in their home in Blowing Rock March 10. Before her death, she told family members she was not feeling well after receiving the vaccine two days prior.

Ellington's family also told us they didn't want to comment any further. They issued this statement:

The family is asking for privacy as we continue to grieve the loss of a beloved wife and mother.