Jesse Melanson wasn't the same after Iraq

Family of Richmond man say PTSD, medication factors in shooting death
Central Maine
Keith Edwards
February 24, 2018

Jesse James Melanson, 33, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from his four tours of duty with the Army in Iraq and had stopped taking medication, according to a brother, a sister and his ex-wife.

A Richmond man who shot and killed himself earlier this month as he was about to be arrested at his home over allegations of stolen property suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from his four tours of duty with the Army in Iraq, where he witnessed his best friend since kindergarten get killed in a mortar attack, according to the man’s family.

The brother, the sister and the ex-wife of the late Jesse Melanson said he was a great father to his two children, that he was hardworking and generous, but also that he wasn’t the same person when he came home from Iraq.

Lisa Melanson said when she talked to her brother last month, he said the medication he took to try to control his PTSD was too strong and was making him sick, so he had stopped taking it. She said she urged him to go to VA Maine Healthcare System-Togus to adjust his medication. He told her he would.
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