Medical Examiner: TCC student died from acute meningitis in November

A Tallahassee Community College student found unresponsive in her apartment last month died of acute meningitis, according to the District 2 Medical Examiner’s Office.

On Nov. 6, Tallahassee police responded to the West 10 Luxury Apartments on West Tennessee Street in reference to an unconscious woman. First responders immediately provided medical attention to Jessie Melcolm.

She was taken to a local hospital, where she died that afternoon.

The results from Melcolm's autopsy were released Monday.

TCC spokesman Al Moran said the meningitis confirmation poses no threat to the college campus.

“TCC was advised at the outset of the investigation that there was nothing the college should do concerning the matter,” Moran said. “The college was told that it would be notified if there was a “public health concern,” which never occurred.”

The 19-year-old from St. Augustine was a first-year student enrolled in the college’s AA degree program. She planned to transfer to Florida State University after completing her studies.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as a headache, fever and a stiff neck.

Early meningitis symptoms may mimic the flu, with symptoms developing over several hours or over a few days.

It can be contagious, depending on the source.

Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.