Army Staff Sgt. Alejandro Franquiz of Fort Riley, Kansas Found Dead from Apparent Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound Inside Vehicle Parked on I-70 (July 31, 2017)

On July 31, 2017June 29, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, SuicideLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2017-08-23 at 4.18.12 PM — Staff Sgt. Alejandro Franquiz, US Army

Army Staff Sgt. Alejandro Franquiz, 30, was found deceased inside a vehicle parked on Interstate 70 on July 31, 2017. Staff Sgt. Franquiz was a section chief with Company B, 601st Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. Staff Sgt. Franquiz arrived at Fort Riley in October 2015 after having previously served at Fort Riley from December 2008 to August 2012. Staff Sgt. Franquiz deployed three times, twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. An autopsy has determined the cause of death was suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Fort Hood Army Spc. Deangelo Mathis Found Unresponsive in Sly County, Georgia; Official Cause of Death Unknown (July 26, 2017)

On July 26, 2017July 26, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Stateside Death, Suicide, Suspicious DeathsLeave a comment

Deangelo Mathis Hood — Spc. Deangelo Mathis, U.S. Army

Fort Hood Army Spc. Deangelo Marquis Mathis, 22, was found unresponsive July 26, 2017 in Sly County, Georgia. Spc. Mathis’ home of record is listed as Mauk, Georgia; he entered active-duty military service in July 2012. Spc. Mathis was a Patriot missile launching station enhanced operator and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Hood in Texas since May 2014. The circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Criminal Investigation Command at the time of reporting. The official cause of death is unknown. Since January 1, 2016, Spc. Mathis was one of thirty-one soldiers who died of a death ruled suicide or the official cause of death was unknown while stationed at Fort Hood. He was the twelfth soldier to die stateside by death ruled suicide or official cause of death unknown in 2017. Spc. Mathis was honored in the Military Justice for All veteran’s presentation on the current status of the Armed Forces at Fort Hood to congressional members in Washington D.D. in December 2017.

January 2017
1/1: Kai Yancey, 26, U.S. Army (died after complications from short illness)
1/2: Randal Anderson, 22, U.S. Army (died of gunshot wound off-post, Killeen)
1/7: Barron Von Reichelt, 24, U.S. Army (fatal auto accident on South Range Rd on post)
1/11: Alex Taylor, 23, U.S. Army (death ruled suicide, found dead at place of duty on post)
1/12: Zackary Partin, 24, U.S. Army (found dead in barracks room on post, cod unknown)

February 2017
2/5: Steven Hines, 29, U.S. Army (death ruled suicide, CID Agent found dead at place of duty on post after media exposes bizarre cluster of suicides & accidents on post)
2/6: Christie Anderson, 44, U.S. Army (found dead at off post residence, cod unknown)
2/17: Michael Garcia, 29, U.S. Army (died in vehicle training accident at Fort Irwin NTC)
2/18: Sean Callahan, 31, U.S. Army (passed away unexpectedly in Iowa, cod unknown)
2/21: Brian Odiorne, 21, U.S. Army (non combat death in Iraq, death ruled suicide by CID)
2/27: Andre Nance, 34, U.S. Army (found dead on post at Fort Rucker, AL, cod unknown)

March 2017
3/26: Jonathan Garcia, 29, U.S. Army (fatal motorcycle accident off post, Harker Heights)

April 2017
4/7: Daniel Wildeman, 40, U.S. Army (found dead on post in barracks, cod unknown)
4/11: Darius Cooper, 40, U.S. Army (declared dead by board of inquiry after missing for two months, vehicle swept away in low water crossing on post)
4/16: David Ananou, 30, U.S. Army (death by apparent drowning at Belton Lake)
4/17: Justin Lewis, 19, U.S. Army (fatally shot near vacant lot in Killeen neighborhood, unsolved homicide)

May 2017
5/5: Travis Granger, 29, U.S. Army Veteran (fatal gunshot wound, ruled homicide)
5/14: Jon Bullard, 40, U.S. Army (found unresponsive at off post residence in Temple, died next day)

June 2017
6/15: Devon Tucker, 21, U.S. Army (found unresponsive at off post residence in Copperas Cove)

July 2017
7/3: Anthony Lovell, 40, U.S. Army (multiple blunt force injuries, death ruled motorcycle accident by Killeen PD & Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences)
7/11: Justen Ogden, 22, U.S. Army (death ruled suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound, found at on post home, family claims circumstances surrounding death don’t add up)
7/14: James Smith, 24, U.S. Army (fatal motorcycle accident off post, under investigation)
7/26: Deangelo Mathis, 22, U.S. Army (found unresponsive in Sly County, Georgia)

Fort Hood Army Spc. Justen Ogden Found Unresponsive at On-Post Home; Family Questions Cause of Death Ruling Claiming “None of It Ever Added Up” (July 11, 2017)

On July 11, 2017July 11, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Stateside Death, Suicide, Suspicious DeathsLeave a comment

Fort Hood Army Spc. Justen Glenn Ogden, 22, was found unresponsive at his on post home on July 11, 2017. Spc. Ogden is survived by a daughter, parents, and three siblings. “Family meant alot to Justen, he didn’t let a day pass without talking to his daughter, brother and sister. He was an excellent father, brother, son and soldier. He will be greatly missed (obituary).” Spc. Ogden is from Humble, Texas and he joined the Army in March 2014 as a motor transport operator. In August 2014 he was assigned to 61st Quartermaster Battalion, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Fort Hood in Texas. At the time of his death, the Army claimed in a press release that the circumstances surrounding his death were under investigation. The official cause of death was unknown until 2020 when the family stated that the Army ruled the cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. To this day, the family continues to question the cause of death ruling and claims none of the circumstances surrounding the incident add up.

“He died of a gunshot wound that they ruled as a suicide. None of it ever added up! He put his truck in the shop that morning to have a lift kit added! Also, his time of death was around 11 am. He was supposed to be at work and had been there that morning, but he wasn’t found until 6pm when his girlfriend got home! All I ever got from anyone at Ft. Hood were lies and useless condolences!! Something really bad is going on at that base and it needs to be stopped! I have prayed everyday, since I put my son in the ground, that they would be held accountable for the horrific way they are failing our children!!! NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND!!” –Justen’s family

Justen Ogden FH Press Release — Death of a Fort Hood Soldier – Spc. Justen Ogden (Screenshot of the Fort Hood press release because they will delete the on-line version)

Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non-Combat Death at Fort Bliss, Texas (US Army)

On July 5, 2017August 20, 2017 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Suicide1 Comment

*Research not complete and includes combat deaths.

2017:

Adam Acosta, US Army Veteran: Accused of Homicide
John Barcellano, US Army: Fatal Motorcyle Accident
Tyler Croke, US Army: Homicide Victim
Riley Gast, US Army: Found Dead in Desert, Cause of Death Unknown
Zachary Johnston, US Army Veteran: Accused of Homicide
Hansen Kirkpatrick, US Army: Indirect Fire Attack, Afghanistan
Brandon Olsen, US Army: Accused of Homicide
John Rodriguez, US Army: Non-Combat Related Incident, Kuwait

2016:

Anthony Bowden, US Army: Accused of Homicide
Eric Duvall, US Army: Accused of Homicide
Tyler Hall, US Army: Accused of Homicide
Melvin Jones, US Army: AWOL, Missing, Found
Dante Naken Dewayne Long, US Army: Homicide Victim
Ronald Murray, Jr., US Army: Non-Combat Death, Vehicle Accident, Kuwait
Jake Obad-Mathis, US Army: AWOL, Missing, Found
MG John Rossi, US Army: Death Rule Suicide
Audi Sumilat, US Army: Guilty of Gun Smuggling; Final Disposition Unknown
Devon Ward, US Army: AWOL, Missing, Found Dead
Aaron Wolfe, US Army Veteran: Passed Away Unexpectedly

2015:

Gabriel Benavidez, Civilian: Victim of Physical Assault
Andrew Budd, US Army: Found Dead in Home, Cause of Death Unknown
Dr. Timothy Fjordbak, Veterans Affairs: Homicide Victim
Deric Joyce, US Army (2015): Pleaded Guilty to Aggravated Battery Resulting in Great Bodily Harm
Jerry Serrato, US Army Veteran: Homicide, Suicide
Jonathan Wynkoop, US Army: Died in Training Exercise

2014:

Christina Bukovcik, US Army: Homicide Victim
Devon Huerta-Person, US Army: Charged with Aggravated Assault
Dartarious Graham, US Army: Homicide, Sentenced to 40 Years
Peyton Graham, US Army Dependent: Homicide Victim
Geomel Shaffa, US Army: Homicide of Spouse, Sentenced to 50 Years

2013:

Jackson Farrey, US Army Dependent: Homicide victim
Jeffrey Farrey, US Army: Homicide, sentenced to 20 years
Jenna Farrey, US Army Spouse: Homicide, sentenced to 35 years
Troy Kent, US Army: Fatal automobile accident
Corey Moss, US Army: Attempted murder, sentenced to 30 years
Rachel Poole, US Army Spouse: Victim of attempted homicide
Timothy Santos Jr., US Army: Non combat related illness, Kuwait
Mariza Shaffa, US Army Spouse: Victim of attempted homicide

2012:

James Brown, US Army: Died While in Jail for DWI Charge
Malachi Cosby, US Army Dependent: Homicide Victim
Crispen Hanson, US Army: Homicide, Sentenced to 8 Years
Francisco Perez, US Army: Homicide, Afghanistan, Sentenced to 15 Months
Neil Turner, US Army: Homicide Victim, Afghanistan
Shawn Williams, US Army: Court of Criminal Appeals Decision

2011:

Kelvin Gooding, US Army: Homicide Victim
Lykisha Gooding, US Army: Homicide Victim
Alex Jaime, US Army: Homicide Victim
Zareef Saleel, US Army: Homicide of Alex Jaime, Sentenced to Life in Prison
James Steadman, US Army: Homicide of 2 Soldiers; Shot & Killed by Woman

2010:

Robert Nichols, US Army: Suicide

2009:

Michael Apodaca, US Army: Homicide, Sentenced to Life
Cassaundra Beckel, US Army: Homicide Victim by Spouse
Kevin Beckel, US Army: Homicide of Spouse, Suicide
Jacob Engle, US Army: Accidental Shooting Death
Gerald Polanco, US Army: Accused of Homicide, Incompetent to Stand Trial
Thelton Riley, Civilian: Homicide, Sentenced to 30 Years
Leesa Trujillo, Civilian: Injury to Child & Involuntary Manslaughter, Sentenced to 10 Years
Justin Weckel, US Army: Suspected Suicide
Keiffer Wilhelm, US Army: Non combat related incident, suicide, Iraq

2008:

Clinton Lewis, US Army Spouse: Accused of Kidnapping, Rape & Stabbing Wife; Final Disposition Unknown
Jeneesa Lewis, US Army: Kidnapped, Stabbed & Raped but Found Alive

2007:

John Fish, US Army: Suspected Suicide

2003:

2001:

Lynn Reister, US Army: Homicide Victim
Roger Reister, US Army: Homicide of Capt. Lynn Reister for SGLI

2000:

Luis Rodriguez-Martinez, US Army: Suicide or Murder?

1991:

Anthony Riggs, US Army: Homicide Victim

1984:

Nathan Craig, US Army: Homicide Victim
Willie Jackson, US Army: Homicide, Suicide

1979:

Vernon Shearer, US Army: Homicide Victim

1977:

Chester Garrett, US Army: Homicide Victim
Andrew Heard, US Army: 2 Homicides, Sentenced to 15-55 Years in Prison after Released from 4 Years in Prison for Murder of German Woman
Ralph Sigler, US Army: Suicide or Murder?

1944:

Cecil Cash, US Army: Homicide Victim, War Crime

Killeen PD: Fort Hood Army SSG Anthony Lovell Died of Injuries Sustained in Apparent Motorcycle Accident Near Nolan Creek in Killeen, Texas (July 3, 2017)

On July 3, 2017July 3, 2020 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military PolicyLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2018-01-15 at 4.06.41 PM — SSG Anthony Lovell, U.S. Army

Army Staff Sergeant Anthony Lovell, 40, died of injuries sustained in an apparent motorcycle accident along Nolan Creek in Killeen, Texas on July 3, 2017. According to witnesses, SSG Lovell’s body was found in a mysteriously different location then the motorcycle. But the Killeen Police Department determined SSG Lovell was traveling south on 8th Street and failed to make a turn into a mobile home park in the area. Investigators claim SSG Lovell left the road, hit an embankment, and went airborne. Therefore, this accounted for the separation of the body and the motorcycle. And as a result, the accident caused multiple blunt force injuries.

“The motorcycle accident was around 8 p.m. on July 3. Lovell was going southbound in the 300 block of Eighth Street. Police say he failed to negotiate a turn and left the roadway then went airborne and into Nolan Creek. The soldier suffered a fatal head injury and was pronounced dead at 8:38 p.m.” -Killeen PD

SSG Lovell was a resident of Killeen, Texas; he was stationed at Fort Hood in March 2015 as a cavalry scout assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. SSG Lovell joined the Army in September 1997 and deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2007 to June 2008 and from September 2009 to August 2010. At the time of the Fort Hood press release, the circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation by the Killeen Police Department.

On This Day: Seven Sailors Died After the U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Fitzgerald Collided with the Container Ship ACX Crystal Off the Coast of Japan (June 17, 2017)

On June 17, 2017February 15, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, In Their Name, Military Policy, Navy, Non Combat Death, ScandalsLeave a comment

Ngoc Truong Huynh — Ngoc T. Truong Huynh, 25, U.S. Navy

ProPublica:
Part I: Death and Valor on an American Warship Doomed by its Own Navy
Part II: Years of Warnings, Then Death & Disaster: How the Navy Failed Its Sailors
In Navy Disasters, Neglect, Mistakes, and 17 Lost Sailors (Snapshot of Sailors)
How We Investigated the Navy’s Twin Disasters in the Pacific
Senate Committee Grills Navy Official Over 2017 Collisions, Seeking Data to Prove Conditions Have Changed
Exclusive: Footage of USS Fitzgerald After Collision w/ ACX Crystal (YouTube)
ProPublica Published ‘Death and Valor on an American Warship Doomed by Its Own Navy’ (February 6, 2019)

Questionable Practices Continue at Fort Belvior Warrior Transition Battalion: One Delaware Army National Guard Soldier’s Story After Injured in the Line of Duty

On May 13, 2017June 6, 2017 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, National Guard, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, ScandalsLeave a comment

Guest Post Submitted by Jill Lee

I cannot in good conscience remain silent about the treatment of our wounded and injured service members and their families. I am writing this letter on behalf of my husband Sgt. Thomas Lee. He medically retired from the Delaware National Guard’s 153rd MP Company in August 21, 2016. He deployed to Afghanistan January to September 2013. Upon returning from deployment he was sent to the Wounded Transition Battalion (WTB) at Fort Belvoir, VA in October 2013 for neck, back, shoulder, skin and stomach issues. The time frame for service members to spend at the WTB is approximately 12 months; my husband was there for 3 years. When my husband arrived, there were around 300 service members there. Every service member is assigned a nurse case manager who oversees the scheduling of appointments and does weekly check-ins with them. The nurse case manager’s job is to support and facilitate the care of service members; however, often they are misleading and at times lying to get information which is used by the command against the service members. The WTB does not promote an atmosphere of healing but rather one of harassment and punishment, where they provide the bare minimum of care, distribute medications and focus on the symptoms rather than diagnose and treat the actual issues. The WTB along with Fort Belvoir Community Hospital has failed my husband along with countless other service members. Our service members and families sacrifice so much for our country and it is a shame to see how they get treated when they return from combat broken physically and mentally.

My husband and I lived through a nightmare for the past 3 years, he was fortunate enough to survive 2 deployments only to be permanently disabled by a military doctor here in the states. Do you know what it’s like to watch helplessly someone you love whose served their country go from injured to permanently damaged and not to be able to hold any one accountable? My husband came to the WTB with 2 careers, 21 years with the Postal Service and 18 years of military service, he left the WTB unable to return to either career. Below are the events that forever changed our lives.

Continue reading “Questionable Practices Continue at Fort Belvior Warrior Transition Battalion: One Delaware Army National Guard Soldier’s Story After Injured in the Line of Duty” →

Retired Army Veteran Marinna Rollins Died by Suicide Less Then Two Weeks After Arrested & Charged with Shooting & Killing her Estranged Husband’s Dog (May 7, 2017)

On May 7, 2017April 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Scandals, Sexual Assault, SuicideLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2017-05-21 at 7.14.37 PM — Marinna Rollins, US Army Retired

Army veteran Marinna Rollins, 23, was found dead of an apparent suicide on May 7, 2017 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. According to reports, Rollins was medically retired from the Army with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after a traumatic event while stationed in South Korea. Rollins was involved in the execution style killing of her estranged husband’s dog Huey around April 16 or 17. The harrowing incident was filmed and released to the public resulting in worldwide coverage. Marinna and her accomplice, Jarren Heng, were both facing felony charges in court. Jarren Heng is an active duty soldier stationed at Fort Bragg and he still faces felony charges, although the conspiracy charge was dropped after Marinna died. Meanwhile a Facebook page was created called Justice for Huey and they are also petitioning the Army to take action. According to Marinna’s estranged husband, Matt Dyer, Marinna was watching the dog for him while he was in South Korea but at some point decided she wanted to keep the dog and didn’t want to give Huey back.

Meanwhile, she registered the dog as an emotional support animal. Matt shared that he was okay with her keeping the dog because he thought Huey would be good for her PTSD. Matt and Justice for Huey have been empathetic of Marinna and believe that had Jarren Heng never entered her life, this would not have happened. Matt expressed that he was aware that Jarren hated Huey and was controlling of Marinna. Marinna and Matt grew up together in Windham, Maine and were still technically married as their divorce had not been finalized yet. Initially it appears that Marinna did try and find a home for the dog with no success. Matt thinks Jarren Heng convinced Marinna to get rid of the dog. Did Jarren Heng pressure her to get rid of the dog because it was her soon to be ex-husband’s dog? We may never know the answer to that question but nonetheless this is a very heartbreaking situation: an innocent dog lost a life, another soldier with Post Traumatic Stress lost her life, and Matt lost his childhood friend & wife and his dog.

Army Spc. Darius Cooper Swept Away in Floodwater Crossing at Fort Hood; Body Never Recovered, Military Board Ruled Deceased 2 Months Later (April 11, 2017)

On April 11, 2017February 4, 2019 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

On June 16, 2017, Fort Hood published a press release indicating the Fort Hood Fire and Rescue teams were unsuccessful in locating Army Spc. Darius Cooper, who was swept away in flooding waters at Clear Creek near Turkey Run Road on Fort Hood just before 6 a.m. on April 11, 2017. The press release informed the public that the Army appointed a board of inquiry (per Army Regulation 638-8, Army Casualty Program, and Department of Defense Instruction 2310.05, Accounting for Missing Persons) to conduct a status determination and ruled that Spc. Cooper was deceased, his official date of death was April 11, 2017. Spc. Cooper, 40, listed San Antonio, Texas as his home of record and he entered active-duty service in June 2008 as a culinary specialist. At the time of his death, Spc. Cooper was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood in Texas since June 2016. Spc. Cooper deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. As of 2019, Spc. Cooper’s body has not been located, therefore he is still missing despite the status of determination ruling.

“More than 800 individuals were involved in the search, including emergency responders from Texas Task Force One boat and dog teams, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Texas Game Warden’s lake search teams, Morgan’s Point Resort Police Department dive and sonar search teams, Fort Hood’s Crisis Response Battalion ground search teams, and 1st Air Cavalry Brigade helicopter assets who aided in the search.” -Fort Hood Press Center (June 16, 2017)

Timeline of Events:

April 11, 2017

Emergency crews respond to vehicles caught in high water (Fort Hood Press Center)
UPDATE 1: All Fort Hood low-water crossings, Old Georgetown Road remain closed (Fort Hood Press Center)
UPDATE 2: Driver’s vehicle recovered without driver inside (Fort Hood Press Center)

April 12, 2017

UPDATE 3: Texas’ Task Force One joins the search for missing person in Clear Creek (Fort Hood Press Center)
UPDATE 4: Updated photos and Broll of the April 12 ongoing search efforts (Fort Hood Press Center)

April 13, 2017

UPDATE 5: Search and rescue teams increased their effort to find the missing individual April 13, as water levels reduced allowing teams access to more locations. (Fort Hood Press Center)
UPDATE 6: Search team officials conduct media engagement (Fort Hood Press Center)

April 19, 2017

UPDATE 7: Deliberate search continues for missing individual (Fort Hood Press Center)

May 11, 2017

UPDATE 8: Deliberate search continues for missing Soldier (Fort Hood Press Center)

June 15, 2017

Soldier swept away at Fort Hood crossing declared dead (KWTX)
Ft. Hood declares missing soldier swept away in floodwaters dead (KXAN)
Fort Hood soldier missing since April declared dead by Army (WFAA)
Fort Hood calls off search, releases name of soldier who died in April 11 flash flood (Killeen Daily Herald)
Fort Hood soldier lost during April floods determined deceased (Statesman)
Fort Hood declares missing soldier deceased, release identity (CBS Austin)
Army: Fort Hood soldier determined dead after being swept away by flood waters (Army Times)

June 16, 2017

UPDATE 9: Fort Hood Soldier lost in April 11 flash flood determined deceased (Fort Hood Press Center)
Fort Hood Officials Declare Missing Soldier Dead (CBS DFW)
Soldier Swept Away By Flood Waters Pronounced Dead (KTEM)

Peterson Air Force Base Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren Died of a Non Combat Death in Syria; Suspected Natural Causes, USAF Would Not Elaborate (March 28, 2017)

On March 28, 2017March 28, 2021 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, Non Combat Death, USAFLeave a comment

Photo: Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren (Obituary)

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a security forces airman who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, 25, of Umatilla, Oregon, died March 28 in northern Syria in a non-combat-related incident while deployed in support of combat operations. He was assigned to the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AP said in a statement from the base, Bieren died from “suspected natural causes.” Wing commander Col. Douglas Schiess says Bieren was “a beloved member of the team and will be sorely missed.” Bieren graduated from Umatilla High School in 2010 and entered the Air Force that November. He had been stationed at Peterson since June 2014.

According to the Burns Mortuary of Hermiston obituary, Austin Leo Bieren, 25, “was born on January 7, 1992 in Pendleton, Oregon to John Timothy Bieren and Tracy Ann (Gibson) Finck. Austin loved to hunt, fish, and hunt some more. He enjoyed anything and everything outdoors, the true definition of a mountain man. He avidly worked out and did everything to stay healthy and active. After basic training, he married his wife, Rachel (Kennedy) Bieren, and they both moved to Minot, North Dakota and were there for three years, and then moved to Colorado Springs where Austin worked at Peterson AFB. He was deployed three times.”

Notable Quotes:

“The Air Force did not elaborate on Bieren’s cause of death.” –Denver Post (March 30, 2017)

“It’s tragic that we lost that young man in kind of a strange way for a 25-year-old, but nonetheless space is embedded in everything we do. So anywhere you have American military people, you’re going to have space.” (Air Force Gen. John Hyten) –Fox News (March 31, 2017)

Col. Doug Schiess, 21st Space Wing commander mentioned Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, a member of the 21st SW who died while serving in Syria. “We brought him home to his family, took care of his family and still are.” –21st Space Wing, USAF (June 21, 2017)

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Category: Non Combat Death

Army Staff Sgt. Alejandro Franquiz of Fort Riley, Kansas Found Dead from Apparent Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound Inside Vehicle Parked on I-70 (July 31, 2017)

Fort Hood Army Spc. Deangelo Mathis Found Unresponsive in Sly County, Georgia; Official Cause of Death Unknown (July 26, 2017)

Fort Hood Army Spc. Justen Ogden Found Unresponsive at On-Post Home; Family Questions Cause of Death Ruling Claiming “None of It Ever Added Up” (July 11, 2017)

Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non-Combat Death at Fort Bliss, Texas (US Army)

Killeen PD: Fort Hood Army SSG Anthony Lovell Died of Injuries Sustained in Apparent Motorcycle Accident Near Nolan Creek in Killeen, Texas (July 3, 2017)

On This Day: Seven Sailors Died After the U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Fitzgerald Collided with the Container Ship ACX Crystal Off the Coast of Japan (June 17, 2017)

Questionable Practices Continue at Fort Belvior Warrior Transition Battalion: One Delaware Army National Guard Soldier’s Story After Injured in the Line of Duty

Retired Army Veteran Marinna Rollins Died by Suicide Less Then Two Weeks After Arrested & Charged with Shooting & Killing her Estranged Husband’s Dog (May 7, 2017)

Army Spc. Darius Cooper Swept Away in Floodwater Crossing at Fort Hood; Body Never Recovered, Military Board Ruled Deceased 2 Months Later (April 11, 2017)

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: