Apparently Steve was passing overhead when the stingray attacked, no deliberate contact as some have suggested. The huge barb alone seems to have inflicted a fatal puncture wound to the heart. I've been stung by our tiny rays along the California Coast. Within seconds the affected limb experiences excrutiating pain travelling up to the groin. The fastest relief, and used by our lifeguards is HOT WATER to break down the invenomated proteins.