Army Sgt. Jonathon Hunter and Spc. Christopher Harris Died After a Vehicle-Borne IED Detonated Near Their Convoy in Afghanistan (August 2, 2017)

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Sgt. Jonathon Hunter, US Army, and Spc. Christopher Harris, US Army

Sgt. Jonathon Hunter, 23, and Spc. Christopher Harris, 25, died as a result of injuries sustained when a vehicle-borne improved explosive device (IED) detonated near their convoy on August 2, 2017 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Sgt. Hunter and Spc. Harris were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve on behalf of the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. According the the Department of Defense press release the incident is under investigation.

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
Two members of 82nd Airborne killed in Afghanistan
Military identifies Fort Bragg soldiers killed in Afghanistan suicide bomb attack
Columbus, Ind., soldier among 2 killed in Afghanistan attack
Specialist Christopher Harris: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Father: Indiana soldier among 2 killed in Afghanistan attack
Fundraiser for pregnant wife of soldier killed in Afghanistan nets $12,000 in four hours

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)

SPC Justen Ogden
Spc. Justen Ogden, U.S. Army

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)

Related Links:
Obituary for Justen Glenn Ogden
Death of a Fort Hood Soldier – Spc. Justen Glenn Ogden
Fort Hood: Soldier found unresponsive in on-post residence identified
Fort Hood Soldier Found Unresponsive on Post Identified
Fort Hood Soldier Found Unresponsive on Post Identified
The true meaning of Memorial Day
The true meaning of Memorial Day
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside (January 1, 2016 to Present)

Army Pfc. Hansen Kirkpatrick Died in an Indirect Fire Attack in Helmand Province, Afghanistan (July 3, 2017)

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Pfc. Hansen Kirkpatrick, US Army

Army Pfc. Hansen Kirkpatrick, 19, died from wounds received during an indirect fire attack on July 3, 2017 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Pfc. Kirkpatrick was supporting Operation Freedom Sentinel on behalf of the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division in Fort Bliss, Texas. According to the Department of Defense press release, the incident is under investigation.

Related Links:
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
US soldier killed in Afghanistan is identified
Pentagon identifies soldier killed in indirect fire attack in Afghanistan
Hansen Kirkpatrick: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Death of U.S. soldier in Afghanistan highlights the evolving role of conventional combat troops there
Valley rallies for its military members
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non-Combat Death at Fort Bliss, Texas (US Army)

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)

Shingo Douglass
Shingo Douglass, 25, U.S. Navy
Noe Hernandez
Noe Hernandez, 26, U.S. Navy
Ngoc Truong Huynh
Ngoc T. Truong Huynh, 25, U.S. Navy
Xavier Martin
Xavier Martin, 24, U.S. Navy
Gary Rehm Jr
Gary Rehm Jr., 37, U.S. Navy
Dakota Rigsby
Dakota Rigsby, 19, U.S. Navy
Carlos Victor Sibayan
Carlos Victor Sibayan, 23, 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)

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)

Darius Cooper
Spc. Darius Cooper, U.S. Army

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)

Related Links:
SPC Darius Cooper, Afghanistan (DVIDS)
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside (2019)
The Fort Hood Fallen on Facebook

Evil Lives Here Premiered ‘She Made Me Do It’ on Investigation Discovery: Eric Witte Kills Abusive Father for Mother Hilma Witte (January 9, 2017)

Preview: Growing up, Eric Witte’s father taught him to protect his family. But when his father became increasingly violent, Eric realised that his father was the evil his family needed protection from. -She Made Me Do It, Evil Lives Here (S2, E2)

As a boy, Eric Witte’s father taught him to protect his family. But as his father grows increasingly violent, Eric realizes that he is the evil his family needs protection from. -She Made Me Do It, Evil Lives Here (S2, E2)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Mommy’s Little Helpers | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (S6, E15)
Mommy’s Little Helpers | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (website)
Mommy’s Little Helpers | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Mommy’s Little Helpers | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Hulu)
Eric Witte | Evil Lives Here | Investigation Discovery UK (Preview)
She Made Me Do It | Evil Lives Here | Investigation Discovery (S2, E2)
She Made Me Do It | Evil Lives Here | Investigation Discovery (website)
She Made Me Do It | Evil Lives Here | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Eric Witte Manipulated by Mother Hilma Marie Witte to Murder Abusive Father at Age 15; Joined Navy to Prevent Grandmother from Dying (September 1, 1981)
Deadly Women Premiered Mommy’s Little Helpers on ID: Hilma Marie Witte Manipulated Children to Kill Family Members (November 24, 2012)
Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Suspicious Minds’ on ID: Jealous Girlfriend Kimethia Coleman Fatally Stabbed Brian Spinks (October 22, 2016)

Preview: Kim Coleman had a lot going for her – except control of her own emotions. Her idea of loving Brian was completely possessing him. Love would never survive her suspicious mind. -Suspicious Minds, Deadly Women (S10, E8)

ID Go: A social worker can’t keep the lid on her possessive nature, a friendship is destroyed by jealous delusions, and young love leads to a violent end. These Deadly Women just can’t walk out… and their love won’t survive their “Suspicious Minds. -Suspicious Minds, Deadly Women (S10, E8)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Former Prom Queen Wont Take No For An Answer (Preview)
Former Prom Queen Can’t Take No For An Answer: The Story Of Kim Coleman
Suspicious Minds | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (S10, E8)
Suspicious Minds | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (website)
Suspicious Minds | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Suspicious Minds | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Hulu)
Air Force SSgt. Brian Spinks Stabbed 60+ Times by Jealous Girlfriend; Kimethia Coleman Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (January 17, 2010)
Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Fort Hood Army Sgt. Douglas Riney Shot and Killed by a Suspected Taliban Infiltrator in Kabul, Afghanistan (October 19, 2016)

Douglas Riney
Sgt. Douglas Riney, U.S. Army

“The Department of Defense announced today the death of one soldier and one Department of Army civilian employee who were supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Sgt. Douglas J. Riney, 26, of Fairview, Illinois, and Michael G. Sauro, 40, of McAlester, Oklahoma, died Oct. 19 in Kabul, Afghanistan, of wounds received from encountering hostile enemy forces.

Riney was assigned to the Support Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Sauro was assigned to the Defense Ammunition Center, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, McAlester, Oklahoma.”

According to Reuters, a U.S. official said the attack occurred at an Afghan military ammunition supply point near Camp Morehead outside Kabul. The Americans were visiting the site as part of their train, advise and assist mission when a lone gunman opened fire on them at the entry control point. The assailant, who was later killed, was reported to be wearing an Afghan army uniform.

Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Memorial Video:

Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Memorial Video

Congressional Action In Honor of Douglas Riney:

On Wednesday, May 17, the Illinois House of Representatives adopted a resolution designating the section of Illinois Route 78 from Canton to Farmington as the “Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Highway”. The resolution honoring Sgt. Riney is House Joint Resolution 43 sponsored by State Representative Mike Unes (R-East Peoria). -Illinois House GOP (May 18, 2017)

Rep. Cheri Bustos Speaks on her bill to rename the Fairview Post Office in Honor of Sgt. Douglas Riney

Related Links:
Obituary: Douglas J. Riney
Sgt. Douglas J. Riney | Military Times
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
Army identifies Fort Hood soldier killed in Afghanistan
Fort Hood Soldier Killed in Action in Afghanistan
Gunman kills two American advisers, wounds three in Afghan capital
DoD identifies soldier, Army civilian killed in Afghanistan
Decorated Fort Hood Soldier Killed by Enemy Fire in Afghanistan
Attack in Afghanistan killed Illinois soldier, Oklahoma man
Local Soldier Dies While on Tour in Afghanistan
Central Illinois soldier killed in Afghanistan
Fairview Firefighter and Soldier Killed in Kabul
Friends, family remember Fairview soldier killed in Afghanistan
Attack in Afghanistan killed Illinois soldier, Oklahoma civilian
Congresswoman Bustos’ Bill to Rename the Fairview Post Office in Honor of Sgt. Douglas Riney Passes in the House
Congresswoman Bustos’ bill to rename the Fairview Post office in Honor of Sgt. Douglas Riney passes in the House
Congresswoman Bustos’ Bill to Rename the Fairview Post Office in Honor of Sgt. Douglas Riney Signed into Law
Fairview Post Office will soon be Sergeant Douglas J. Riney Post Office
Illinois post office to be renamed for fallen Army sergeant
Fairview’s Post Office Renamed After Fallen Soldier
Post office renamed after fallen soldier
Douglas Riney died in Afghanistan when his son was 2. Now 4, the boy builds memorials to his father
House Approves Resolution Designating Section of Illinois Route 78 ‘Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Highway’
Resolution passed designating section of IL Rt 78 as Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Highway
Sgt. Douglas Riney Memorial Highway Dedication ceremony held
Bustos Co-Sponsoring Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act
Volunteers work to honor fallen heroes; ceremony Dec. 8
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Fort Hood, Texas
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside (January 1, 2016 to Present)
Kabul Attack Leaves Two Americans Dead in Afghanistan
Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Memorial Video
Rep. Unes Resolution Designating Sgt. Riney Memorial Highway
Rep. Bustos Speaks on her bill to rename the Fairview Post Office in Honor of Sgt. Douglas Riney

Fort Hood Army Soldier Douglas Bailey Found Dead at On Post Home; Official Cause of Death Unknown (October 15, 2016)

Douglas Bailey
Douglas Bailey, U.S. Army

Fort Hood Army soldier Douglas L. Bailey, 24, was found dead October 15, 2016 at his on post home. He was a native of Elmira, New York when he enlisted in the Army and was active-duty military for six years at the time of his death. The funeral announcement stated Douglas Bailey was an “amazing husband and father.” Douglas’ obituary stated he “enjoyed hunting, fishing with family and spending time at the family cabin on Trout Lake. Doug loved to play football and was an avid Buffalo Bills fan. His favorite vacation spot was Myrtle Beach with his family.” The official cause of death is unknown.

Poohbear,
Your dad, myself and Belinda and the rest of the family will forever miss you. There will never be a day that we won’t think of you. You were a great son, brother, husaband and friend. Til we meet again my son, we love you then, we love you now, and will forever.
Kelly Bailey
October 30, 2016

Related Links:
Obituary: Douglas Bailey
Obituary: Douglas Bailey
Douglas Bailey | Legacy.com
Obituary for Douglas L. Bailey
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Fort Hood, Texas
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside (January 1, 2016 to Present)