Autopsy reveals meningitis killed Sun Chief of Police

By Matthew Penix
St. Tammany News
Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:59 AM CDT

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Michael Felix Raymond Jr., the cigar-chomping blues musician turned Sun police chief who died in January this year, was infected with meningitis an autopsy has revealed, St. Tammany Parish Coroner spokesman Mark Lombard said this month.

The confirmation comes months after rumors surrounded the 62-year-old’s cause of death.

Meningitis, a bacterial or viral infection, inflames the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord and is often spread from infections that are contagious.

Sometimes meningitis can be spread via drops of tiny fluid expelled by a cough or by a sneeze.

Raymond was thought to be caring for an infected family member when he died.

“It’s a medical illness that can be treated if caught earlier enough, but just like anything else …,” Lombard said.

Raymond was 62 when he died, two days shy of his 63rd birthday, Sun Mayor Barbara Gibson said.

Raymond, a 10-year Bogalusa resident who frequently visited New Orleans to play drums in a rhythm and blues rock and roll band — music he called “easy listening,” — was the grandfather of five and one of six siblings.

At the time of his death Raymond, an avid motorcycle rider, was recovering from back surgery, Gibson said. He also battled diabetes.

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Comments

2 comment(s)

Lori wrote on Aug 21, 2008 11:36 PM:

" This is so sad to hear and such a tragedy ! I had bacterial meningitis when I was 10 yrs old and again when I was 42 yrs old. You think it's just a bad flu and then you get a severe headache with a very very stiff neck, unlike any headache you have ever had ! The fever climbs usually above 101 degrees and you tend to be delirious. ANYONE who has these symptoms ever, please see your doctor, ASAP as what you think is the flu can really be meningitis. It is such an aggressive illness and frightening. "

MUSAorg wrote on Aug 20, 2008 3:47 PM:

" The Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA), a national organization, would like the public and media to know that information is available regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of meningitis. MFA was founded by parents whose children were affected by meningitis. In addition to supporting vaccines and other means of preventing meningitis, the MFA provides information to educate the public and medical professionals so that the early diagnosis, treatment and, most important, prevention of meningitis, will save lives. Meningitis is a dangerous and sometimes fatal inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord that can leave survivors with serious life-long physical problems "

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