Florida authorities are investigating the mysterious death of a teen cheerleader who mysteriously died on last Tuesday after complaining of a sore throat and headache.
News4Jax reports 19-year-old Jessie Melcolm was found lying unresponsive her Tallahassee apartment last Tuesday afternoon, a day after she told her mother over the phone that she didn’t feel well. The teen complained of having a sore throat and a headache to her mom before hanging up. When her mother didn’t hear from her the following day, she became concerned and asked one of her friends to check on her.
Jessie was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Medical experts indicated that drugs likely did not play a factor but the official cause of death still has not been determined. Jessie’s mother said the teen was healthy and athletic. There was also no signs that Jessie contracted meningitis, although Dr. Sunil Joshi, Director with the Duval County Medical Foundation, told the station it’s too early to tell.
“Well if it’s not that, then an acute headache that leads to death within minutes or hours, you think about a hemorrhage or an aneurysm.”
The Tallahassee Police Department confirmed that authorities are still investigating the cheerleader’s death. So far, there has been no indication of foul play.
Posted by Kennedy Whitsell on Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Melcolm attended school at Tallahassee Community College, where she was a freshman. She previously attended Batram Trail High School, where she was a cheer captain. She also reportedly participated in state-level gymnastics competitions at the Jacksonville Academy of Gymnastics.
Friends and family remember her as caring, upbeat, encouraging, and positive.
“I always saw her and her cheerleading friends driving back and forth,” neighbor Beth Curvel told the station.
The Leon County Medical Examiner’s Office is currently trying to determine the exact cause of death but cannot comment yet, as the incident is an active investigation.
The story continues to develop. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Jessie Melcolm/Instagram]
