Tragedy as beloved mum, 35, died days after developing migraine

Jennifer Melvin, 35, was visiting family when she suddenly fell ill

A beloved mum died just days after she began suffering from a severe headache. However, several months on, mystery still surrounds what originally caused the brain injury that claimed her life.

Mother-of-one Jennifer Melvin, 35, who lived in Houston, Texas, was visiting family in the north east when she came down with a migraine. She paid a visit to A+E, with a doctor believing she might have been dehydrated.

But as the days progressed her pain worsened, and after a second visit to hospital, medics carried out tests and found fluid on her brain. She suffered a seizure whilst at the James Cook University Hospital on Teeside and sadly never regained consciousness, TeesideLive reports.

READ MORE: Update on investigation after death of 'bubbly' young woman who 'touched so many lives'

READ MORE: 'What the Blackpool Victoria nurse did to my mum will haunt us for the rest of our lives'

Despite tests both in life and by a pathologist, professionals have been unable to find the cause of the acute hydrocephalus - a build-up of fluid in ventricles - which led to brain swelling, an ischaemic cerebral injury, haemorrhagic cerebral infection and ultimately her tragic passing, an inquest has been told.

Senior coroner Clare Bailey told Jen's loved ones: "Despite us instructing a [neurology consultant pathologist] he has been unable to get to the bottom of the reason why...he didn't find any non-natural reason for her passing."

Jen's sister Lisa Ayre, who lives in Middlesbrough, previously told Teeside Live how Jen was visiting Teesside with her daughter Payton Melvin, 13, for her niece Chloe's wedding when she first started feeling unwell.

She's now raised almost £3,000 in Jen's memory by completing the Great North Run for the charity 4 Louis which supported Payton following her mum's passing.

The inquest heard how the headache started one evening and Jen had to go to bed early - which was unlike her. She was feeling better the next day but on the evening the pain returned - she had a hot shower and said the steam helped relieve the pain.

On May 28, she went to A&E - no blood tests or scans were completed at this time but her vitals were good, the inquest heard. A doctor told her she may be dehydrated and did suggest she stay for a saline drip but Jen decided against this and self discharged.

Two days later she had to leave the dinner table on the evening because the pain was worsening. She enjoyed the day with family at the wedding although they did leave earlier.

Jen thought she may have a trapped nerve and booked in for a massage but it provided no relief. She headed back to A&E on June 3 where her condition deteriorated, the inquest heard.

The adored mum was sent for CT scans which showed excess fluid on her brain. Her family reported that she had a seizure to doctors the following morning and she was rushed in for surgery.

In a heartbreaking statement, Lisa and her family said: "We believe we lost Jennifer when she had the seizure before the surgery."

Doctors found there was "extremely high pressure" on her brain and drains were placed in Jen's head but they later collapsed and stopped working. Tragically, Jen had suffered an irreparable brain injury which led to brain stem death.

Recording a conclusion that she died of natural causes, Coroner Bailey said they had worked "very hard to try and obtain information as to the cause but sadly neither of the physicians in life or post mortem" were able to determine what started the "deadly inflammatory process".

You can view the fundraiser and donate in Jen's memory here.