Fort Hood Army Spc. Christine Ndururi Died of Non Combat Related Illness at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait (November 6, 2007)

On November 6, 2007November 4, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, Non Combat Death, Suspicious DeathsLeave a comment

Army Spc. Christine Ndururi, 21, died from a non combat related illness at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait on November 6, 2007. Spc. Ndururi was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fort Hood, Texas. At the time of the press release, the Department of Defense announced that Christine’s death was under investigation.

“She has not been sick,” Ndururi’s father, Wilson Wachira, 45, said yesterday at the family’s home. “I’m waiting for them to tell me what happened. She was not ill, unless she was ill after 9 o’clock when she talked to her mother. Before she was deployed there, she had to have a medical checkup.” ~Eagle Tribune

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)

On September 30, 2007September 10, 2017 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, Suicide, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

09/27/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Mathew Taylor, 21, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

09/27/2007: Airman Missing In Action From WWII is Identified

09/27/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Pfeifer, 21, Afghanistan, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/26/2007: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Charles Milam, 26, Afghanistan, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/26/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Zachary Tomczak, 24, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/26/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Anthony Bento, 23, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/26/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Kevin Brown, 38, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/25/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Blaskowski, 27, Afghanistan, Vicenza, Italy

09/24/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Watson, 29, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/24/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Reeves, 26, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/23/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jonathan Lankford, 42, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base San Antonio (Fort Sam Houston), Texas

09/22/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Roselle Hoffmaster, 32, NCD, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/22/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: John Young, 24, NCD, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/21/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Luigi Marciante Jr, 25, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/21/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Graham McMahon, 22, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/20/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Edmund Jeffers, 23, NCD, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/20/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christian Neff, 19, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/19/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Aaron Walker, 23, Iraq, Vilseck, Germany

09/19/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Joseph Landry III, 23, Nicholas Olson, 22, and Donald Valentine III, 21, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington

09/19/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Emerson, 20, NCD, Iraq, Fort Bliss, Texas

09/18/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Brandon Thorsen, 22, NCD, Iraq, Fort Bliss, Texas

09/17/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Townes, 29, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood

09/17/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Terry Wagoner, 28, Todd Motley, 23, Jonathan Rivadeneiva, 22, and Christopher McCloud, 24, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/17/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Terrence Allen, 21, NCD, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/17/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: John Mele, 25, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/14/2007: Marine Missing From Korean War Is Identified

09/13/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Yance Gray, 26, Gregory Rivera-Santiago, 26, Michael Hardegree, 21, Omar Mora, 28, Nicholas Patterson, 24, Ari Brown-Weeks, 23, and Steven Elrod, 20, NCDs, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/12/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Courtney Hollinsworth, 26, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/12/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Carlos Gilorozco, 23, and Jon Hicks Jr, 20, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/12/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Travis Woods, 21, Afghanistan, Camp Pendleton, California

09/11/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Javier Paredes, 24, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

09/11/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Sammie Phillips, 19, NCD, Iraq, Kentucky Army National Guard

09/11/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Lance Clark, 21, NCD, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/11/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Alexander Gagalac, 28, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/10/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Drew Jensen, 27, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/10/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Marisol Heredia, 19, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/10/2007: History Of 9/11 Attack On The Pentagon Published

09/10/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Ryan Woodward, 22, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/10/2007: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Christopher Poole Jr, 22, Bryan Scripsick, 22, John Stock, 26, and Michael Yarbrough, 24, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/08/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Lee Wilson, 30, Jason Hernandez, 21, and Thomas Hilbert, 20, Iraq, Fort Bliss, Texas

09/08/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Mykel Miller, 19, Afghanistan, Arizona Army National Guard

09/07/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Joel Murray, 26, David Lane, 20, and Randol Shelton, 22, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/07/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Keith Nurnberg, 26, Iraq, Fort Benning, Georgia

09/07/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Cooper Jr, 36, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/07/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Delmar White, 37, Iraq, Kentucky Army National Guard

09/06/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: William Warford III, 24, and Dane Balcon, 19, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/05/2007: Airman Missing from WWII is Identified

09/05/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Rodney Johnson, 20, Iraq, Fort Riley, Kansas

09/05/2007: DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty: Patrick Magnani, 38, NCD, Afghanistan, Aviano Air Base, Italy

09/05/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Patton, 21, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/05/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Kevin Gilbertson, 24, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/03/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Justin Sanders, 22, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/03/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Travis Virgadamo, 19, NCD, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/01/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Daniel Scheibner, 40, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/01/2007: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Andrew Nelson, 22, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Army Spc. Marisol Heredia Died at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas of Injuries Suffered from a Non-Combat Related Injury in Iraq (September 7, 2007)

On September 7, 2007September 8, 2020 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

Army Spc. Marisol Heredia, 19, died September 7, 2007 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas of injuries suffered from a non-combat related injury on July 18, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. Spc. Heredia was a Petroleum Supply Specialist supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. At the time of the Department of Defense press release the circumstances surrounding the death were under investigation. According to media reports, Spc. Heredia was severely burned while refueling a generator in Iraq and died of an infection at the hospital stateside because her bodily defenses were seriously compromised due to the extent of her burns.

In war-torn Baghdad, Heredia, who held the rank of Specialist, was badly burned in an accident July 18. According to family members, the accident occurred while she was fueling a generator. –Los Angeles Times

Fort Hood Army Staff Sgt. Paul Norris Fatally Shot Spc. Kamisha Block in Murder-Suicide in Iraq; Family Calls for Congressional Hearings & Independent Investigations (August 16, 2007)

On August 16, 2007July 15, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Non Combat Death, SuicideLeave a comment

Fort Hood Army Spc. Kamisha Block, 20, died of a non combat related incident in Baghdad, Iraq on August 16, 2007. Spc. Block was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 401st Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade in Fort Hood, Texas. The Department of Defense announced at the time of the press release that the circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation. Media reports indicate that Kamisha died of gunshot wounds after she was shot in the shoulder, chest, and head area five times by a fellow Army soldier, Staff Sgt. Paul Norris. Norris then turned the gun on himself putting a single bullet into the right side of his head. Medics found Norris dead at the scene and Kamisha with a sucking chest wound. Kamisha Block was pronounced dead a few minutes later at the Camp Liberty Troop Medical Clinic. The family claims there was no serious relationship with Norris yet he became possessive and began abusing her. They believe she was not protected by the Army. (Get the latest updates on the case here)

“She spent a year in Korea, and then returned for a few months to Fort Hood before she left for Iraq in 2007. While in Texas she began a relationship with Staff Sgt. Brandon Norris, her parents said, a man in the same battalion. Although the Blocks never believed Norris and Kamisha Block had a serious relationship, Norris became attached and possessive of her, Army investigators told the family. Before they left Fort Hood for Iraq, Norris physically assaulted Kamisha Block, her family learned through later Army reports. He was disciplined and received counseling, but he did not lose his jealous nature.” ~Home of the Brave

TWITTER: Shonta Block @ShontaBlock
FACEBOOK: Corruption without justice in the military
JUSTICE: Reasons why the Block family want congressional hearings
PETITION: Justice for Kamisha Block commanding officers are not above the law.
SENATORS: Contact your two Senators here (top left has drop down for state)
REPRESENTATIVE: Contact your Representative here (enter zip code)
SASC/HASC MEMBERS: Click here to contact the SASC/HASC members
OTHER CASES: 15 Active Duty Cases That Beg for Prevention Efforts, Military Justice Reform, and the End of the Feres Doctrine and Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside (January 1, 2016 to Present)

In the News (2019):

The family learned Kamisha Block was shot and killed while serving in Iraq. The Department of Defense told the Block family Kamisha was shot in the chest by friendly fire. -12NewsNow (February 12, 2019)

Families from across the U.S. held a rally outside Fort Hood demanding answers about the deaths of their loved ones who died while serving. -KCEN News (July 11, 2020)

The family reports this article from Stars and Stripes is the most comprehensive to date: Army reopens case of 2007 murder-suicide that was originally called ‘friendly fire’ (April 19, 2019)

Updates:
Justice for Kamisha Block [Fundraiser]
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Iraq)
12News investigates alleged cover-up after 2007 shooting of Vidor soldier Kamisha Block in Iraq
The Army plans to reinvestigate a 2007 murder-suicide it originally concluded was ‘friendly fire’
Army reopens murder-suicide case that was originally ruled a ‘friendly fire’ incident
Vidor family of soldier Kamisha Block alleges cover-up after 2007 shooting in Iraq
Vidor family holds Memorial Day vigil 13 years after death of army specialist, alleged coverup of her murder
Army closes investigation into allegations of a coverup in 2007 murder-suicide in Iraq
Army Closes Investigation into Allegations of a Coverup in 2007 Murder-Suicide in Iraq
Gold star families, protesters flock to Fort Hood to protest Army’s handling of soldier deaths
Dozens gather outside Fort Hood to protest for answers in deaths of loved ones
Dozens gather to protest for answers outside Fort Hood (YouTube)
Crimelines True Crime Podcast Featured the Military Murder of Army Spc. Kamisha Block in Baghdad, Iraq (October 20, 2019)
Murderific True Crime Podcast Featured the Military Murder of Army Spc. Kamisha Block in Baghdad, Iraq (December 8, 2019)
Military Murder Podcast Featured the Homicide of Fort Hood Army Spc. Kamisha Block in Iraq; Friendly Fire or Military Cover-Up? (July 13, 2020)

The Story (Love is a Battlefield, Forbidden: Dying for Love):

Fort Hood is the largest military base in world. It’s home to 53,000 soldiers and located in the heart of Texas. Kamisha Block joined the Army straight out of high school and was a specialist with the 401st Military Police Company. She was the first born in her family and her loved ones said she was a bright light. “She was always smiling and positive about everything.” Kamisha’s squad was in training for a deployment to Iraq in four months. Her fellow comrades called her “wonder woman” and said she always seemed happy. She was the kind of person who would always make others feel better even if they were having a bad day. She was described as loving, caring, and a great listener. Kamisha even worked on her own vehicles and her father taught her everything she knew. She was very independent and loved serving in the Army. Thirty-year-old Staff Sgt. Brandon Norris was a veteran of two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. One of his military comrades said he did some outstanding things in the Army because Brandon was a go-getter. Brandon wanted to achieve and he quickly climbed the ladder. Brandon had also experienced some tough times. His wife had recently left him and took their daughter and he lost two sisters in a preventable car accident the year before. But Brandon was a squad leader and damn good at what he did.

Both Brandon and Kamisha were out one night at the same bar having some drinks with friends. Brandon noticed Kamisha on the dance floor and pushed his way to get to her. Upon introducing himself, they both realized they were stationed at Fort Hood. And although they were attracted to one another immediately, Brandon reminded Kamisha that what they were thinking of doing was against the rules. Fraternizing in the Army was against the law but Brandon and Kamisha didn’t care. In the Army, a relationship between an NCO and a junior enlisted soldier, especially in the same platoon, is against the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Both of them were taking a huge risk because if they were ever seen together, they could lose everything. In reality, they would be kicked out of the Army, lose their benefits, and get a dishonorable discharge. Brandon and Kamisha both knew it was a bad idea but over the next few weeks, they found every opportunity to see each other. According to Brandon’s military comrade, there was a real genuine connection between the two of them. And they managed to keep it secret aside from a few close friends who knew what was going on. They would say they were seeing someone but never named names. Kamisha regularly visited Brandon at his apartment eight miles away from the post.

Brandon was in love and it was obvious that the Army and Kamisha was his life. They both loved each other. Meanwhile, their squad knew they were deploying soon but they didn’t know the exact date. And then they were tasked to deploy four days before they were supposed to leave. Brandon found out that he wasn’t going to Iraq with the squad because he had to go to a leadership training session first. He would fly to Iraq at a later time. He wasn’t happy that he wasn’t going with the squad and with Kamisha and as a result, Brandon’s mood started changing. According to friends, he was getting more aggressive and angry. Brandon could control his demons until he started drinking alcohol. He was drinking more and began pushing Kamisha away and accusing her of being with other men in Iraq if he wasn’t around. Brandon was fragile and his current state of mind reflected what appeared to be attachment issues, he couldn’t handle losing anyone else he loved. Kamisha assured Brandon that they were all good but no one could deny that Brandon was possessive of Kamisha. Before deploying to Iraq, Kamisha took Brandon to meet her family. Her mom said Brandon didn’t introduce himself and they thought that was strange. They observed that he kept his head down and unless he was spoken to, he didn’t speak.

Kamisha’s family was worried about her with the upcoming deployment. The family sensed something was wrong but she said she really couldn’t talk about it. Twelve hours prior to the deployment, Brandon and Kamisha spent some quality time together. He told her he wanted to talk to her everyday on the phone until he got there. Because Brandon was possessive and controlling of Kamisha, he wanted to make sure she was okay everyday while she was away. Once Kamisha got to Iraq, Brandon called her daily and started becoming jealous and afraid that she was with other guys. Brandon admitted to his mom that he loved Kamisha and she was a special person. He also shared with his family that he couldn’t sleep and was only getting one hour a night of sleep on some nights. Brandon’s family was worried about losing him overseas because they couldn’t handle losing another child after losing two daughters the year before. Brandon Norris deployed to Iraq and he was transferred to Kamisha’s squad. Everyone knew there were tents in Iraq that had cots and they weren’t the only ones using them. Then there were signs that Brandon was giving Kamisha preferential treatment and she didn’t like it. Kamisha wanted to do the job and was irritated with Brandon.

Brandon’s biggest hang up was his jealousy. He would get jealous if Kamisha was talking to another guy. His friend said he’d get pretty fired up about that really quick. One day, the squad was in a convoy on a routine mission to an outpost. Kamisha was back at the base and Brandon was distracted. According to a comrade, Brandon stopped focusing on the task at hand and was paying attention to Kamisha instead. The squad was consistently concerned about Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and they turned down a road where they were met with an IED. It blew one of their trucks clear into the air. Brandon’s convoy had been hit by a roadside bomb and he jumped out of his vehicle and started firing despite the fact that they were not taking on any small arms fire or anything. Brandon easily could have killed an innocent civilian and gone to jail. They discovered three soldiers were injured in the IED explosion. Brandon’s squad questioned him after firing indiscriminately and were even more concerned when he didn’t have any response. Brandon felt guilty and responsible because he wasn’t paying attention and missed the road side bomb. He was in the lead truck and this was his job. One of his comrades decided he needed to be reported to the Chain of Command.

Brandon’s military comrade told the Chain of Command he knew something bad was going to happen because Brandon’s jealousy and possessiveness was getting out of hand. He explained how he was not the same leader that he had been at Fort Hood. And this same comrade said the military Chain of Command could have helped if they had moved either one of them and got them away from each other. Instead of transferring Kamisha or Brandon, the Chain of Command transferred the guy who reported them to another squad. He said they needed Norris and as a result, they didn’t dig or investigate to get to the bottom of of the whole relationship. They questioned Kamisha and Brandon and took them at their word when they denied a relationship. They issued a ‘no contact order’ but everyone knew that it was difficult to monitor. Over time, Kamisha was getting more agitated and less comfortable with the direction the relationship was heading. Brandon consistently accused her of talking to other men. Something was wrong. This relationship was anything but love. Kamisha was trying to get away from him but he would not leave her alone. Kamisha was getting scared and ended the relationship with Brandon. Brandon didn’t take it very well and told her he couldn’t live without her.

Brandon and Kamisha cooled things down for about three days and Kamisha tried hard not to have contact with Brandon. But Brandon was unraveling and drinking. Kamisha called home on her sister’s birthday and they had a really nice conversation but she had to go because the squad had another mission. The next day, the Casualty Assistance Officers (CAOs) showed up at Kamisha’s parent’s home. The CAOs told Kamisha’s family that Kamisha had died in Iraq as a result of a non-combat incident. Kamisha’s mom and dad broke down. The CAOs told the family she was killed by one shot to the chest. All the family wanted was the truth. They wanted answers and they wanted to know what happened. Kamisha’s body was flown back to Texas. The family was in shock. They knew it was her but they didn’t want to believe it was her. They were all so upset. Then Kamisha’s mom noticed what appeared to be a patch on the side of her head. The Army told her she was shot in the chest but it appeared she was shot in the head too. Jane Block admitted she cried for days. The military wasn’t telling her everything, they held back. Jane accused the Army of waiting until Kamisha got to the funeral home before they found out the truth. Now they were determined to find out who shot Kamisha and what happened. Jane Block called the CAO who confirmed that Kamisha was shot five times by Brandon Norris. The family was devastated.

And eventually the details of what happened in Iraq were revealed to Kamisha’s family. Brandon wasn’t doing well and he wanted to talk to Kamisha. Brandon’s friends said his eyes were glazed over and he was in a mood. During the discussion, Kamisha reminded Brandon that she didn’t want to be in the relationship anymore. Then Brandon brandished a gun and shot Kamisha five times. He also shot at another soldier who luckily missed the bullets. When they found Kamisha, she was bleeding profusely. They observed she had been shot in the head. Brandon had also shot himself and was still breathing. His comrade said the last thing he said to Brandon was ‘F^*k You’. Kamisha’s family believes the military failed Kamisha. They could have moved her out of there and they didn’t. The Army also knew Brandon had PTSD and deployed him anyways. Kamisha’s family felt like it was a cover-up. The Army failed Kamisha and they failed Brandon Norris. Before deploying to Iraq, Brandon told a family member that he didn’t know if he could handle another tour in Iraq. But he was insistent that he needed to be there for his squad and Kamisha. Now, there’s a hole in both families. Brandon’s friend admits he has survivor guilt because he wished there was more he could do. Jane Block said Kamisha didn’t get to finish her mission to live out her hopes and dreams.

Source: ‘Love is a Battlefield’ Forbidden: Dying for Love, Investigation Discovery

Investigation Discovery:

ID Go: A young Army recruit enlists with dreams of serving her country. What she doesn’t expect is to find love with a commanding officer in her platoon. The two battle to keep their forbidden affair secret but can they defeat the enemy within? -Love is a Battlefield, Forbidden: Dying for Love (S3, E1)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch all of the 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. Download the ID Go app and binge away. 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 $2.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Gower Conspired & Offered to Pay Others to Murder his Estranged Wife Hidi Gower for the Life Insurance; Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (July 4, 2007)

On July 4, 2007June 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military PolicyLeave a comment

6782990_BG1 — Sgt 1st Class Donald Gower, US Army

Fort Hood soldier Sgt. 1st Class Donald Gower, US Army, conspired and offered to pay Chaka Johnson, Jeremiah Ellison, and John Martinez money to murder his estranged wife Hidi Easton Gower. Sgt. 1st Class Gower’s motive was the life insurance payout worth $110,000. Hidi was shot to death in a VFW parking lot in Texas on July 4th, 2007.

Donald Gower – sentenced to life in prison without parole
Chaka Johnson – sentenced to life in prison without parole
Jeremiah Ellison – sentenced to 7 years for tampering with evidence
John Martinez – testified for prosecution in Gower/Johnson trials
Regina Edwards – charges dropped, testified for prosecution in Gower/Johnson trials

Learn more: Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance is a Common Motive for Murder

Fort Hood Army Cpl. Christopher Ferguson Died of Undetermined Causes; CID Claimed Death Was Accident; CBS News Reported Suicide (March 25, 2007)

On March 25, 2007July 21, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Cold Cases, Felony Crime, In Their Name, Military Policy, Stateside Death, Suspicious Deaths1 Comment

Fort Hood Army Cpl. Christopher Martin Ferguson, 21, died of undetermined causes on March 25, 2007 in Killeen, Texas. Christopher was born and raised in Pataskala, Ohio and enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 2004 after graduating from high school. Cpl. Ferguson worked as a combat infantryman on behalf of the Bravo Company, 3-67 AR Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood in Texas. Cpl. Ferguson deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005; he conducted over 200 combat patrols and participated in over 30 joint operations with Iraqi counter-parts in Baghdad.

Christopher Ferguson was born on April 12, 1985, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Theophil Ferguson of Florida, and Patty Gibson Ferguson of Pataskala. He attended the Watkins Memorial School system, and graduated from the Criminal Justice program at Licking Co JVS, Class of 2004. He was fascinated by security systems and the military since a small child. He was described as a “peacekeeper.” He entered the U.S. Army in 2004, spent one year in Iraq, and was stationed at Ft. Hood at the time of his death. Cpl. Ferguson was survived by his mother and two sisters of Pataskala, Ohio when he passed.

******************************************

July 13, 2020:

“My brother is Corporal Christopher Martin Ferguson…he passed away March 25, 2007 at Scott and White Hospital in Texas…he was stationed at Fort Hood…he had just got back from Iraq and was at a party right off of base with fellow soldiers…story was that he fell from a three-story building on his head (alcohol involved or not, you don’t fall from a balcony to your head and not fracture one other bone, not have anything broken, only have your brain bleeding)…my mom, myself and my sister were flown out to see him and he was never awake…he was on life-support for seven days…everybody that came to the hospital was not allowed to talk to us…they told us that they had been told that they were not allowed to talk about anything that happened that night…we were left with no answers…my brother’s Sergeant brought us his blazer so we had something to drive while there and my sister and myself found a grocery bag in the back of his blazer that had the clothes he was wearing that night…the paramedics had cut them off him…it was just stuffed in the back of his blazer…there was a detectives card in there that was just placed in his shoe so I called and the detective let me know that the army had taken the investigation from Killeen PD…At the same time we found his camera and his blazer, there were fellow soldiers in the pictures with him that night who claimed that they were not there…my brothers death certificate says cause unknown [undetermined]…No one would tell us what happened and it was ruled as an accident years later…One of his fellow soldiers that does surfing for veterans put my brother on national news with his picture, his name along with saying that he committed suicide, but my family was never told that…there’s a lot more to the story…it’s very fishy and there was a lot of no talking or lies and I really want to know what happened to my brother.” -Christina McDonald (sister)

Christopher Ferguson Balcony — Christopher Ferguson with two Army soldiers. Picture taken on the balcony in question in 2007.

CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell:

About 20 veterans die by suicide each day. A hotline launched in 2007 has answered more than 3.5 million calls, sending help to thousands of people. Dean Reynolds got an inside look. -CBS News with Norah O’Donnell (August 26, 2019)

Christopher Ferguson CBS News — Screenshot of the soldiers Army veteran Danny O’Neel claimed died by suicide. (CBS News)

“This is the national news episode that a fellow soldier of my brothers did! He added my brother to posters and news saying he committed suicide! If this was the case, why weren’t we told this?! The Army took the investigation from Killeen Police Department. If there was a real investigation going on, why did my sister and I find my brothers belongings, clothes, and shoes from that night…there’s blood on them, they stuffed everything in a grocery bag, and had it in the back of his blazer…they treated it like it was trash…wouldn’t you think they would need that as part of their investigation? Cpl. Christopher M. Ferguson deserves justice..please help our family find out what exactly happened to him at Fort Hood.” -Christina McDonald (sister)

Additional Photos:

Christopher Ferguson

Did the Army do enough to prevent soldier’s death? (2007)

On February 6, 2007March 3, 2017 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Cold Cases, Felony Crime, Homicide, Military Policy, Non Combat Death, Sexual Assault, SuicideLeave a comment

Pfc. Tina Priest of Smithville died in Iraq on March 1, 2006 and her family is worried that the Army botched its care for her after a rape claim that was followed by her apparent suicide.

Investigations did not find sufficient evidence to continue the rape inquiry, but the family, skeptical of what it sees as holes in the Army’s information, is waiting for a final review by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.

Family members also say Army officials told them that the investigation was concluded in September, but their requests for the final report are being denied. A recent article in the Hartford Courant newspaper citing that final report has heightened the Priests’ anger.

“I need some closure,” said Joy Priest, Tina Priest’s mother. “I want to know. Why can a newspaper get a copy of that report and we can’t?”

An investigation conducted in Iraq by Fort Hood’s 4th Infantry Division, in which Priest served, was conducted after her death, and its findings — which the family was given — are an accurate portrayal of events, said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, a spokesman for the division. He said the Criminal Investigation Command report will be the last one issued, “and we do still owe that to the family.”

Continue reading “Did the Army do enough to prevent soldier’s death? (2007)” →

Fort Hood Army SSG Jeannette Dunn Died of a Non Combat Related Injury in Taji, Iraq (November 26, 2006)

On November 26, 2006September 11, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

Jeanette Dunn — SSG Jeannette Dunn, U.S. Army

Army SSG Jeannette T. Dunn, 44, died of a non combat related injury in Taji, Iraq on November 26, 2006. SSG Dunn was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of the 15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. According to the Department of Defense, the incident is under investigation. The official cause of death and outcome of the investigation are unknown.

“For years I wondered what great things that she had accomplished in the Military. She was a great Soldier when I knew her. You could find no one more dedicated to accomplishing the Mission.” –Charles Baker

Missing: Lackland AFB Nurse 1st Lt. Nonnie Dotson Disappeared; Last Seen at Brother’s Home in Littleton, Colorado While on Leave (November 19th, 2006)

On November 19, 2006July 27, 2020 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Cold Cases, Felony Crime, In Their Name, Military Policy, Missing, USAFLeave a comment

Editors Note: Need to get up to speed quick with the missing case of Lackland Air Force Base nurse Nonnie Dotson, please check out Episode 4 on the Military Murder Podcast

Air Force nurse 1st Lt. Nonnie Dotson, 33, was last seen by family members the afternoon of November 19th, 2006. She left her brother Tony Dotson’s residence in Littleton, Colorado where she had been visiting, and told him she was going to have a smoothie with friends. Dotson had no vehicle with her so she either left the residence on foot or was given a ride. Dotson had flown into Colorado by commercial airline on November 16, 2006 from San Antonio, Texas, where she was on active duty serving as a nurse at Lackland Air Force Base with the United States Air Force. She failed to return to active duty as scheduled and the return flight portion of her ticket was never used. She left behind a 16-month-old daughter at her brother’s home in Colorado. She was scheduled to discharge from the Air Force in March 2007.

“The day after Nonnie disappeared, police did get a ping from her cell phone not far from the area she was last seen. Dogs traced her scent there, but no evidence was found.” –9 News

Investigators believe Nonnie was taken against her will and her parents know she wouldn’t just walk off. Cold case detectives said solving the disappearance of Nonnie Dotson is going to take someone coming forward after all these years to say ‘this is what I know happened.’ Nonnie Dotson’s family is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts. The Denver Post reports, “the Doyles are using their retirement money for legal fees, and trying to sell their house in California with the hope of using the money to increase the reward to $100,000.” Please click here for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation case details for Nonnie Ann Dotson. Anyone with information about Nonnie’s disappearance is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. A detective has been assigned to the case.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 303-271-5612. (Reference NamUs #MP10563)

Nonnie Ann Dotson

Missing Poster:

Nonnie Dotson CO Lostnmissing — Colorado LostnMissing: Nonnie Dotson

Colorado Bureau of Investigation:

Colorado Bureau of Investigation

In the News:

“Nancy Grace America’s Missing” spotlights the case of missing 31-year-old Nonnie Dotson of San Antonio, Texas. -HLN (February 11, 2011)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2006)

On September 30, 2006September 1, 2017 By AdministratorIn Accidents, Armed Forces, Army, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, National Guard, Navy, Non Combat Death, Suicide, USAF, USMCLeave a comment

09/30/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Christopher Blaney, 19, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/29/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Edward Reynolds Jr, 27, and Henry Paul, 24, NCD, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/29/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: James Chamroeun, 20, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/28/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jose Lanzarin, 28, Iraq, Baumholder, Germany

09/28/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James Lyons, 28, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/28/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Casey Mellen, 21, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/27/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jared Raymond, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/27/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Riviere, 21, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/26/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Velton Locklear III, 29, and Kenneth Kincaid IV, 25, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/26/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Carlos Dominguez, 57, Iraq, Army Special Operations Command, New York

09/26/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Windell Simmons, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Howard March Jr, 20, and Rene Martinez, 20, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Eric Kavanagh, 20, Iraq, Schweinfurt, Germany

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Charles Jones, 29, NCD, Iraq, Kentucky Army National Guard

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Bobby Callahan, 22, NCD, Iraq, Fort Drum, New York

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Ashley (Henderson) Huff, 23, Iraq, Fort Stewart, Georgia

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Allan Bevington, 22, Iraq, Baumholder, Germany

09/25/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Cesar Granados, 21, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/22/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Robb Needham, 51, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/22/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Yull Estrada Rodriguez, 21, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/22/2006: First Identification of U.S. Soldier Missing in Action from World War I

09/22/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Aaron Smith, 31, Iraq, Baumholder, Germany

09/22/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Jennifer Hartman, 21, and Marcus Cain, 20, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/21/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Christopher Zimmerman, 28, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/21/2006: Navy Aviator Missing In Action From Vietnam War is Identified

09/19/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Russell Makowski, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/19/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: James Worster, 24, NCD, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/19/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeffrey Shaffer, 21, Iraq, Bamberg, Germany

09/19/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Adam Knox, 21, Iraq, Ohio Army Reserve

09/18/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Davis, 32, Iraq, Fort Wainwright, Alaska

09/18/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Clint Williams, 24, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/18/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Bernard Deghand, 42, Afghanistan, Kansas Army National Guard

09/18/2006: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: David Roddy, 32, Iraq, Norfolk, Virginia (Multi-National Corps – Iraq)

09/16/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Emily Perez, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/16/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ryan Miller, 19, Iraq, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

09/15/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Ramsey, 27, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/15/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Harley Andrews, 22, Iraq, Bamberg, Germany

09/15/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Weir, 23, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/14/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Mattingly, 30, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/14/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeremy DePottey, 26, NCD, Afghanistan, Fort Drum, New York

09/13/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Fuga, 47, Afghanistan, Missouri Army National Guard

09/12/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Alexander Jordan, 31, Iraq, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Anthony Seig, 19, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: John Carroll, 26, Iraq, Baumholder, Germany

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Merideth Howard, 52, and Robert Paul, 43, Afghanistan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Nathaniel Lindsey, 38, Afghanistan, Oregon Army National Guard

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Johnathan Benson, 21, Iraq, Camp Pendleton, California

09/11/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Luis Montes, 22, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/09/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: David Gordon, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

09/08/2006: Airman Missing in Action From the Vietnam War is Identified

09/08/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Jason Merrill, 22, and Edwin Andino II, 23, Iraq, Wurzburg, Germany

09/08/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Vincent Frassetto, 21, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/07/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Jeremy Shank, 18, Iraq, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

09/07/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Marshall Gutierrez, 41, NCD, Camp Virginia, Area Support Group, Arijan, Kuwait

09/07/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Germaine Debro, 33, Iraq, Nebraska Army National Guard

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Richard Henkes II, 32, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Angel Mercado-Velazquez, 24, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Ralph Porras, 36, and Justin Dreese, 21, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty: Christopher Walsh, 30, Iraq, Missouri Navy Reserve (Multi National Corps – Iraq)

09/06/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Hannah Gunterman, 20, NCD, Iraq, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Shannon Squires, 25, Iraq, Fort Bragg, North Carolina

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Matthew Vosbein, 30, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Ryan Miller, 21, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Jared Shoemaker, 29, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Oklahoma

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Eric Valdepenas, 21, Iraq, Marine Forces Reserve, Massachusetts

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Shane Harris, 23, Iraq, Twentynine Palms, California

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties: Cliff Golla, 21, and Philip Johnson, 19, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Eugene Alex, 32, Iraq, Fort Wainwright, Alaska

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Michael Deason, 28, Iraq, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

09/05/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Nicholas Madaras, 19, Iraq, Fort Carson, Colorado

09/01/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualty: Joshua Hanson, 27, Iraq, Minnesota Army National Guard

09/01/2006: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty: Colin Wolfe, 19, Iraq, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

09/01/2006: DoD Identifies Army Casualties: Moises Jazmin, 25, Qixing Lee, 20, Shaun Novak, 21, and Tristan Smith, 23, Iraq, Fort Hood, Texas

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Tag: Texas

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2007)

Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Gower Conspired & Offered to Pay Others to Murder his Estranged Wife Hidi Gower for the Life Insurance; Sentenced to Life in Prison, No Parole (July 4, 2007)

Fort Hood Army Cpl. Christopher Ferguson Died of Undetermined Causes; CID Claimed Death Was Accident; CBS News Reported Suicide (March 25, 2007)

Did the Army do enough to prevent soldier’s death? (2007)

Missing: Lackland AFB Nurse 1st Lt. Nonnie Dotson Disappeared; Last Seen at Brother’s Home in Littleton, Colorado While on Leave (November 19th, 2006)

September: U.S. Department of Defense Casualties Report (2006)

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