Probe Into Cause of Silverado Teen’s Death Continues

A Health Care Agency official said Monday that her office has been unable to confirm the cause of death of 16-year-old Silverado Canyon resident Brittany Lynn Madore.

Officials suspect rare meningococcal bacteria caused the flu-like symptoms and purple splotches that sent the El Modena High School junior to the hospital Oct. 8 before she died.

But the Health Care Agency lab has been unable to grow the meningococcal bacteria from Madore’s blood and spinal fluid, said Hildy Meyers, the agency’s director of communicable disease control and epidemiology.

Meyers said it was possible that Madore’s body had been fighting off the bacteria and reduced the levels in her blood and spinal fluid to untraceable amounts. Toxins from the bacteria, however, could have still caused her death.

Meyers said she has contacted the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta to inquire about other tests.