Warren Hills QB Evan Murray died from a lacerated spleen

Murray, 17, of Warren County, had an abnormally enlarged spleen that made it more susceptible to injury, a medical examiner said.

Warren Hills Regional High School quarterback Evan Murray died from a lacerated spleen, a medical examiner found.

An autopsy of the 17-year-old from Warren County found the cause of death to be massive internal bleeding due to the laceration.

Morris County Medical Examiner Dr. Ronald Suarez determined during the examination that Murray had an abnormally enlarged spleen that made it more susceptible to injury, the medical examiner's office said.

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There was no evidence of head trauma or heart disease. Suarez ruled the manner of death to be an accident.

The Morris County Medical Examiner's Office released the finding Monday afternoon through the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Murray, of Washington Township, died after being injured in a varsity football game Friday night at Warren Hills.

Warren Hills officials have not said how Murray was hurt. Teammates say he had taken a couple of hard hits late in the first half, including a helmet to the stomach.

"The last play before the half, he got hit and we helped him to the sideline," senior tackle Oscar Vega said.

Staff tended to Murray on the sideline and he gave a thumbs-up sign before he was loaded into the back of an ambulance, witnesses said. He was taken to Morristown Medical Center.