What the DoD Doesn’t Want You to Know: 50 Shocking Military Homicides in the Last 30 Years (March 23, 2018)

homicide-cases

  1. Fort Carson Army Spc. Tracy Spencer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Double Rape & Murder of Army Veteran Micki Filmore & Colorado Springs Nurse Barbara Kramer (1986)
  2. Army Soldier Ronald Gray Sentenced to Death by Military Courts for Rape & Murder of Army Pvt. Laura Vickery-Clay & Civilian Kimberly Ruggles (1986)
  3. Army Pvt Rosa Martinez Murdered at Fort Dix by National Guardsman Jose Aponte After She Resisted His Sexual Advances (1987)
  4. Army Soldier Dwight Loving Robbed & Murdered Cab Driver; Sentenced to Death by Military But Commuted by President Obama, Sentenced to Life (1988)
  5. Army Soldier Erin Tynan Raped & Strangled by Fellow Fort Irwin Soldier Christopher Geier, Geier Guilty of Murder, Murder-For-Hire & Attempted Murder (1990)
  6. Air Force Sgt. Joseph Snodgrass Hired Hitmen to Kill Wife in Philippines for $400,000 Life Insurance Payout; Sentenced to Life in Prison (1991)
  7. Army Spouse Melinda Stewart, Army Sgt. Daniel Stewart, Jill Yousaf & Army Soldier James Catlin Conspired & Murdered Homeless Teen Maggie Fetty (1991)
  8. Phonthip Ott Discovered Dead in California River; Coast Guard Spouse Dennis Ott Convicted of Murder & Sentenced to Life in Prison (1992)
  9. Fort Carson Army Soldier Michael Pelkey Convicted by Military Court Martial of Murdering Wife Diane; Sentenced to Life in Prison (1993)
  10. Sgt. Bill Coffin Murdered Ex-Fiancee After Civilian Courts Issued Protective Order, Judge Alleges Army Routinely Ignores Court Orders (1997)
  11. Navy Petty Officer James Kuenn Convicted of the Cold Case Murder of Carol Hutto in Florida; Sentenced to Life, Possibility of Parole After 25 Years (2000)
  12. Air Force Capt. Frank ‘Marty’ Theer Murdered by Wife Michelle & Army SSG John Diamond in North Carolina; Both Sentenced to Life in Prison (2000)
  13. Fort Bliss Army Commander Capt. Lynn Reister Murdered by Enlisted Husband Roger & His Brother Rodney for Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (2001)
  14. Air Force SSgt Shelby Orelup Murdered by an Airman She Dated Briefly, SSgt Phillip Arindain Sentenced to Life in Prison (2003)
  15. Army Soldiers Jeremy Meyers & Christopher Baber Found Guilty of Murdering Jeremy’s Wife Jessica for the Life Insurance Policy (2003)
  16. Air Force Airman Andy Schliepsiek & Wife Jamie Stabbed to Death at Robins Air Force Base, Andrew Witt Found Guilty of First Degree Murder (2004)
  17. Marine Corps Reservist Rosendo Rodriguez III Murdered Summer Baldwin and Unborn Child; Sentenced to Death in Texas for Two Capital Murders (2005)
  18. Navy Seabee Rebecca Braswell Conspired with Fellow Navy Seabees to Kill Ex-Husband & Navy Veteran John Marmo, Sentenced to Life in Prison (2006)
  19. Army Sgt 1st Class Donald Gower Conspired & Offered to Pay Others to Murder his Estranged Wife Hidi Gower for the Life Insurance (2007)
  20. Marine LCpl Maria Lauterbach & Unborn Child were Murdered; Fellow Marine Cesar Laurean Found Guilty of Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison (2007)
  21. Fort Bragg Army Soldier Edgar Patino Murdered Army Specialist Megan Touma & Unborn Son After Argument, Sentenced to 16-20 Years in Prison (2008)
  22. Fort Bragg Army Nurse Lt Holley Wimunc Murdered by Marine Husband the Day After She Announced Divorce, John Wimunc Sentenced to Life in Prison (2008)
  23. Army Sgt. Christina Smith Murdered by Army Husband Richard Smith & Accomplice Matthew Kvapil, Both Fort Bragg Soldiers Sentenced to Life in Prison (2008)
  24. Marine Sgt. Jan Pietrzak & Spouse Quiana Murdered by Four Active Duty Marines (2008)
  25. Disabled Teen Judilianna Lawrence Lured on MySpace by Army Soldier; Robert Marko Sentenced to Life in Prison for Rape & Murder (2008)
  26. Army Soldier Ashley Barnes Stabbed to Death by Estranged Husband; Fort Campbell Army Soldier Khaleefa Lambert Sentenced to Life in Prison (2009)
  27. Navy Petty Officer Amanda Snell Murdered by Marine Jorge Torrez in Barracks at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia (2009)
  28. Navy Master Chief John Bench Murdered Son & Attempted to Murder Wife & Daughter in Japan, Then Killed Self in Motorcycle Crash (2009)
  29. Army Major Nidal Hasan Sentenced to Death by Military Court for Opening Fire & Killing 12 Unarmed Soldiers & 1 DoD Employee at Fort Hood, Texas (2009)
  30. Pregnant Samira Watkins Found Dead in Bayou Grande in Florida; Navy Sailor Zachary Littleton Convicted of 1st Degree Murder, Sentenced to Life (2009)
  31. Army SSG Anton Phillips Found Stabbed to Death at FOB Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan; CID Offering $25,000 Reward for Information (2009)
  32. Air Force Reservist Travis McGraw Murdered his Wife Vanessa for the $100,000 Life Insurance Policy; Sentenced to Life, No Parole (2011)
  33. Army Soldier Sgt. Brandy Fonteneaux Found Murdered in Fort Carson Barracks; Sgt. Vincinte Jackson Sentenced to Life, No Parole (2012)
  34. Air Force A1C James Thomas Sentenced to 32 Years for Murder of SrA Clinton Reeves (2012)
  35. Marine Corps Spouse Brittany Killgore Held Captive, Tortured, Raped, and Murdered After Refusing Sex; 3 BDSM Cult Members Sentenced to Life (2012)
  36. Robert Chiaravalotti, US Army, Sentenced to Life Without Parole by Military Judge After Killing Wife & Raping Step Daughter (2012)
  37. Army Soldier Kimberly Walker Murdered in Colorado Hotel Room by her Boyfriend Army Soldier Montrell Mayo After Valentine’s Day Quarrel (2013)
  38. Baby Found Dead on Side of Highway; Air Force SrA Matthew Theurer Plead Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter, Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison (2013)
  39. Marine Nathaniel Cosby Convicted of the Second Degree Murder of Ivanice Harris in Hawaii; Sentenced to Life in Prison by Military Courts (2013)
  40. Army Spouse Dana Mackay Found Murdered in Virginia Home; SSG John Mackay, Nicole Houchin, Nace Houchin, & Greg Crawford Confessed to Crime (2013)
  41. Army Soldier Jeremiah Hill Convicted in Fatal Stabbing of Fellow Soldier Tevin Geike in 2013, Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison
  42. Navy PO 2nd Class Dmitry Chepusov Found Strangled to Death in Germany; Air Force SSgt Sean Oliver Found Guilty, Sentenced to Life (2013)
  43. Nathaniel Ulroan, US Army, Gets Life in Death of Son (2014)
  44. Camp Pendleton Marine Christopher Lee Convicted of Pre-Meditated Murder of Pregnant Lover Erin Corwin; Sentenced to Life in Prison (2014)
  45. Danielle Nemetz was Shot and Killed; Army Soldier and Spouse Skylar Nemetz Convicted of Manslaughter and Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison (2014)
  46. Marine Joseph Pemberton Found Guilty by Philippines Court for Murder of Filipina Sex Worker Jennifer Laude; Sentenced to 6-12 Years (2014)
  47. Fort Meade Army Soldier Caleb Barnes Stabbed Cheryl Silvonek to Death; Plead Guilty to First Degree Murder, Sentenced to Life in Prison (2015)
  48. Army Soldier Joseph Kimsey & Jonathon Nelson Found Guilty of Murdering Ashley Melnyczok; Both Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole (2015)
  49. Air Force SSgt Steven Williams Pleaded No Contest to the Second Degree Murder of his USAF Veteran Ex-Wife Tricia Todd in Florida (2016)
  50. Fort Carson Army Soldier Branden Harms Pleaded Guilty to Child Abuse Resulting in Death; Faced 40-48 Years in Prison at Sentencing (2016)

Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (Army & Air Force)

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

*Research not complete

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson: On July 30, 2010, the 673d Air Base Wing activated as the host wing combining installation management functions of Elmendorf Air Force Base’s 3rd Wing and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Richardson and consists of four groups that operate and maintain the Joint Base for air sovereignty, combat training, force staging and through output operations in support of worldwide contingencies. The installation hosts the headquarters for the United States Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, U.S. Army Alaska, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. The 673 ABW comprises of 5,500 joint military and civilian personnel, supporting America’s Arctic Warriors and their families. The wing supports and enables three Air Force total-force wings, two Army brigades and 75 associate and tenant units.

Esteban Santiago, Alaska Army National Guard (2017): Shooting Rampage Inside Fort Lauderdale Airport

Shareef Abdullah, US Army (2015): Convicted of of sexual assault and abusive sexual contact; reduced to E-1, confined for six years, and dishonorably discharged.

Alexander Denson, US Army (2015): Convicted of false official statement, aggravated sexual assault, assault with force likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm, simple assault and communicating a threat; reduced to E-1, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, confined for 68 months, and bad-conduct discharge.

Frederick Jenkins III, US Army (2015): Fatal Motorcycle Crash

Dakota Simmons, US Army (2015): Convicted of willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer and assault consummated by a battery upon a child under the age of 16; confined for 34 months and 15 days and bad-conduct discharge.

Jeremiah Smith, US Army (2015): Convicted of failure to obey a regulation and false official statement; acquitted of maltreatment and abusive sexual contact; reduced to E-7.

Timothy Worlds, US Army (2015): Convicted of aggravated assault and assault consummated by a battery; acquitted of sexual assault and maiming; reduced to E-1, confined for 23 months and bad-conduct discharge.

Okan Cetinbag, US Army (2014): Died of Gunshot Wound; Cause of Death Unknown

Samuel Davis, USAF (2014): Medical, Died from Complications after Back Surgery

Lagina Griffiths, Civilian (2014)
ER woman arrested for sexual assault
APD Arrests Woman for Sexual Assault, Coercion Against Airman
Woman charged with sex assault of airman
Sexual assault case involving airman shocking even to Anchorage police
Woman sexually assaulted sleeping airman, police say
Woman Accused of Sex Assault Against Airman Changes Plea
Anchorage woman sentenced for sexual assault
Alleged blackmailer sentenced for sexual assault
Eagle River woman sentenced to 4 years for sex assault of US airman
Woman Sentenced to 4 Years in JBER Airman’s Sexual Blackmail

Katrina Jackson, USAF (2014): Died of an Apparent Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

Darian Miller, USAF (2014): OSI Investigation, Cause of Death Unknown

Ashley Ard, US Army (2013): Accused of Leaving Baby in Park to Die, Final Disposition Unknown

Tony Earl Bullock Jr, Army (2013)
JBER Soldier Arrested in Armed Rapes of Women

Lane Douglas Wyatt, USAF (2013)
JBER Airman Accused of Drunk Driving Death, Woman Killed
Inside the crash that killed Citari Townes-Sweatt
Family Sues Chilkoot Charlie’s After Daughter Killed in DUI Crash
Man sentenced in 2013 DUI death
Airman gets 18-year sentence in fatal drunken-driving collision
Alaska airman gets 18-year sentence for DUI death
Former Airman sentenced to 18 years in drunken-driving death tells story

Marshall Drake Jr, US Army (2012): Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter; Sentenced to 11 years, 9 months in Prison
Army Identifies Soldier in JBER Christmas Death
Soldier guilty in barracks killing
Alaska-based soldier found guilty in fellow GI’s shooting death
Soldier gets 12 years in Christmas Day killing at Alaska base
Local soldier gets 12 years for fatal shooting in Alaska
JBER Soldier sentenced for involuntary manslaughter
Ceremony will honor Rochester-area native found dead on Alaska Army base

David Lopez, US Army (2012): Convicted of Murder, Sentenced to 62 Years
Soldier charged with murder
JBER Soldier’s Murder Trial Begins in Wife’s Shooting
Jury deliberates in murder trial of ex-JBER soldier
Former JBER soldier sentenced to 62 years for killing wife
Former JBER soldier receives 63-year sentence in wife’s murder

Sara Lopez, US Army Spouse (2012): Homicide Victim

Jose Nataren, US Army (2012)
Soldier convicted of sexual assault
Soldier gets 12 years for sex assault, adultery
Army Soldier Sentenced to 12 Years in JBER Sexual Assault

Clinton Reeves, US Air Force (2012): Homicide Victim

James Thomas, USAF (2012): Homicide, Sentenced to 32 Years in Prison

Grant Wise, US Army (2012): Homicide Victim

Jacob Brouch, US Army (2011): Not guilty on Manslaughter Charge, Sentenced to Four Months for Weapons Misconduct

Michelle Clark, Alaska Army National Guard (2011): Died of Unknown Causes, Cold Case

Christopher Crosby, US Army (2011): Died of Gunshot Wound in Army Barracks

Michael McCloskey, US Army (2011): Died During Game of Russian Roulette, Jacob Brouch Charged with Manslaughter But Found Not Guilty

Aaron Rentfrow, US Army (2011): Convicted of Pre-Meditated Murder, Strangling

Tonya Rentfrow, US Army Spouse (2011): Homicide Victim

Renee Sinkler, US Army (2011): Killed in a Nighttime Attack, Afghanistan

Kip Lynch, US Army (2010): Convicted of 1st Degree Murder in Raquell Lynch’s Death, 2 Counts of 2nd Degree Murder for Wife & Daughter, Sentenced to 80 Years

Kyirsta Lynch, US Army Dependent (2010): Homicide Victim

Raquell Lynch, US Army Spouse (2010): Homicide Victim

Darryn Andrews, US Army (2009): Died Searching for Bowe Bergdahl

Bowe Bergdahl, US Army (2009): Went Missing from Base in Afghanistan, Facing Desertion Charges

Clayton Bowen, US Army (2009): Died Searching for Bowe Bergdahl

Kurt Curtiss, US Army (2009): Died Searching for Bowe Bergdahl

Matthew Martinek, US Army (2009): Died Searching for Bowe Bergdahl

Michael Murphrey, US Army (2009): Died Searching for Bowe Bergdahl

Morris Walker, US Army (2009): Died Searching for Bowe Bergdahl

Daniel Sexton, US Army (2008): Died of injuries sustained in non-combat related incident, Iraq

Thomas Tinsley, US Air Force (2008): Death Ruled Suicide by the Air Force 

Johnathan Chism, US Army (2007): Abducted and Murdered by the Enemy in Iraq

Michael Hensley, US Army (2007): Acquitted of premeditated murder; convicted of planting AK-47 and disrespecting a commanding officer; sentenced to time served

Shawn Falter, US Army (2007): Abducted and Murdered by the Enemy in Iraq

Jacob Fritz, US Army (2007): Abducted and Murdered by the Enemy in Iraq

Michael Hullender, US Army (2007): Died of wounds sustained when IED detonated near unit during combat patrol operations

Johnathon Millican, US Army (2007): Abducted and Murdered by the Enemy in Iraq

Trista Moretti, US Army (2007): Died when unit was attacked by insurgents using indirect fire, Iraq

Jorge Sandoval Jr., US Army (2007): Acquitted of Murder in 2 Deaths, Iraq

Colby Umbrell, US Army (2007): Died of wounds suffered when IED detonated near vehicle, Iraq

Brennan Gibson, US Army (2006): Died when Roadside Bomb Struck Humvee

Joseph Strong, US Army (2006): Killed Conducting Mounted Patrol, Iraq

Douglas Tinsley, US Army (2006): Killed Conducting Mounted Patrol, Iraq

Ronnie Gaines, US Army (2000): Pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of Jonathan Walker; sentenced to 8 years in prison and dishonorable discharge

Related Links:
4 U.S. soldiers abducted, killed (2007)
Families of Soldiers Killed in Karbala Cope with Loss (2007)
The 6 U.S. Soldiers Who Died Searching for Bowe Bergdahl (2014)

Air Force A1C James Thomas Sentenced to 32 Years for the Hammer Death of Fellow Service Member SrA Clinton Reeves in Alaska (2015)

USAF Seal

Air Force SrA Clinton Reeves went missing on April 19, 2012 and was later found dead on the side of the road on May 8, 2012 by Anchorage police. Air Force A1C James Thomas plead guilty to the murder of Clinton Reeves and was sentenced to 32 years in prison. Thomas used a hammer and bludgeoned Clinton Reeves to death. They were both stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska.

Related Links:
Airman Disappears, His Family Looks to Craigslist for Clues
Body of missing Air Force member found on Alaska roadside with fellow airman and ‘friend’ held as person of interest
Anchorage police: Body found was missing airman
Slain airman’s body found on Alaska roadside
Police confirm body found in Alaska is missing Raytown airman Clint Reeves
Missing JBER Airman found dead; fellow Airman arrested
Airman charged in Reeves case
JBER Airman faces charges in slaying of fellow service member
Thomas indicted for murdering 24-year-old airman Clinton Reeves in Alaska
Accused Killer Pleads Not Guilty, Had Blood-Stained Hammer
Mom grieves death of Elmendorf airman son
Mother of Alaska murder victim asks indicted airman to ‘tell the truth’
Prosecutors Say JBER Airman Was Killed With Hammer
Former Alaska airman pleads guilty in hammer killing
Man pleads guilty to killing fellow Air Force airman in 2012

Air Force SrA Clinton Reeves Found Murdered in Alaska; A1C James Thomas Plead Guilty, Sentenced to 32 Years in Prison (May 8, 2012)

Screen Shot 2018-04-10 at 8.09.28 PM

SrA Clinton Reeves, US Air Force

Air Force SrA Clinton Reeves went missing on April 19, 2012 and was later found dead on the side of the road on May 8, 2012 by Anchorage police. Air Force A1C James Thomas plead guilty to the murder of Clinton Reeves and was sentenced to 32 years in prison. Thomas used a hammer and bludgeoned Clinton Reeves to death. They were both stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska.

Related Links:
Airman Disappears, His Family Looks to Craigslist for Clues
Body of missing Air Force member found on Alaska roadside with fellow airman and ‘friend’ held as person of interest
Anchorage police: Body found was missing airman
Slain airman’s body found on Alaska roadside
Police confirm body found in Alaska is missing Raytown airman Clint Reeves
Missing JBER Airman found dead; fellow Airman arrested
Airman charged in Reeves case
JBER Airman faces charges in slaying of fellow service member
Thomas indicted for murdering 24-year-old airman Clinton Reeves in Alaska
Accused Killer Pleads Not Guilty, Had Blood-Stained Hammer
Mom grieves death of Elmendorf airman son
Mother of Alaska murder victim asks indicted airman to ‘tell the truth’
Prosecutors Say JBER Airman Was Killed With Hammer
Former Alaska airman pleads guilty in hammer killing
Man pleads guilty to killing fellow Air Force airman in 2012
Anchorage man pleads guilty to murder charge in 2013 death of JBER airman