Tag: Under Investigation

Fort Hood Army Major Troy Wayman Found Dead at Nolanville, Texas Residence; Death Ruled Suicide by Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound (January 16, 2016)

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Troy Wayman
Major Troy Wayman, US Army

Army Major Troy Wayman, 45, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on January 16, 2016 at his residence in Nolanville, Texas. Major Wayman’s home of record is listed as Lincoln, Nebraska; he entered military service in the Nebraska Army National Guard in August 1989 as an Armor Cannon Crewman. Major Wayman was commissioned as a second lieutenant and entered active-duty military service in May 1998; he was assigned to the First Army Division West at Fort Hood since October 2014. Major Wayman served two tours in Saudi Arabia (including Desert Shield/Desert Storm), two tours in Iraq, and one tour in Kosovo. The circumstances surrounding the incident were investigated and on January 22, the Army Times reported Major Wayman’s death was ruled a suicide by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas, Texas.

Related Links:
Obituary: Major Troy Wayman
Death of a Fort Hood Soldier
Fort Hood: Army major dies of gunshot wound
Army major’s gunshot death near Fort Hood ruled a suicide
Fort Hood Death of Major Ruled Suicide
Experts worry high military suicide rates are ‘new normal’
Incident | Gun Violence Archive | Major Troy Wayman
Military Veteran Project: Army Major Troy Wayman
‘Shiite Giant’ Extends Its Reach
Interview with MAJ Troy Wayman | Operational Leadership Experiences
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Fort Hood, Texas (US Army)
Military Policy and Legislation Considerations for the Investigations of Non Combat Death, Homicide, and Suicide of US Service Members

Non Combat Deaths of Female Service Members in the U.S. Military (Iraq)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, Cold Cases, Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Non Combat Death, Scandals, Sexual Assault1 Comment

Map of Iraq

    • 111 US women died in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
    • 69 female soldiers considered Combat Death (63%)
    • 41 female soldiers considered Non-Combat Death (37%)
    • 1 civilian journalist from the Boston Globe died in a vehicle accident
    • Non-Combat Death: Homicide, Suicide, Unknown, Accidents, Medical
      • Combat: 69 (63%)
      • Homicide/Suicide/Unknown: 23 (21%)
      • Accidents: 12 (11%)
      • Medical: 6 (5%)
    • 36 of 41 Non-Combat Deaths are in Army (88%) 

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2018
19 Feb 18: Sgt. Christina Schoenecker, U.S. Army (non-combat related incident)

(Editor’s Note: 2018 not included in stats)

2010
2 Jul 10: Spc Morganne McBeth, U.S. Army (ruled negligent homicide, stabbed by a knife wielding soldier)
8 Mar 10: SSG Lakeshia Bailey, U.S. Army (vehicle rollover, accident)
21 Feb 10: CWO2 Billie Grinder, Tennessee Army National Guard (hard landing, family sued helicopter maker for faulty system that caused crash and settled)
10 Feb 10: Pfc Adriana Alvarez, U.S. Army (gunshot wound, outcome of investigation unknown)

2009
4 Nov 09: SSG Amy (Seyboth) Tirador, U.S. Army (gunshot wound, Army ruled suicide, family believes execution style murder, cold case)

2008
19 Oct 08: LCpl Stacy Dryden, U.S. Marine Corps (fight with fellow soldier, ruled homicide, cold case)
1 Sep 08: SSG Renee Deville, U.S. Army (injured in Iraq, died unexpectedly at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after graduating from NCO course)
14 Aug 08: Pvt Janelle King, U.S. Army (non combat related incident, outcome of investigation unknown)
2 Aug 08: Pfc Jennifer Cole, U.S. Army (gunshot wound to abdomen, ruled negligent homicide)
17 Jul 08: TSgt Jackie Larsen, U.S. Air Force (medical, natural causes)
9 May 08: Spc Mary Jaenichen, U.S. Army (non-combat related injury, outcome of investigation unknown)
22 Feb 08: Spc Keisha Morgan, U.S. Army (death ruled accidental overdose, family suspects rape and murder, cold case)
25 Jan 08: Sgt Tracy Birkman, U.S. Army (non-combat related injury, outcome of investigation unknown)

2007
20 Sep 07: Capt (Dr) Roselle Hoffmaster, U.S. Army (death ruled suicide)
7 Sep 07: Spc Marisol Heredia, U.S. Army (non-combat injuries, medical, severely burned, died in Texas from infection, outcome of investigation unknown)
16 Aug 07: Spc Kamisha J Block, U.S. Army (gunshot wound, ruled homicide, domestic violence and workplace violence)
9 Aug 07: SSG Alicia Birchett, U.S. Army (vehicle ran over her while she was changing tire, outcome of investigation unknown)
7 Feb 07: Capt Jennifer Harris, U.S. Marine Corps (helicopter crash, no sign that it involved hostile fire, outcome of investigation unknown)
28 Jan 07: Spc Carla Stewart, U.S. Army (wounds sustained when convoy vehicle rolled over)
20 Jan 07: CSM Marilyn Gabbard, Iowa Army National Guard (helicopter crash, might have been shot down, outcome of investigation unknown)

2006
12 Dec 06: Major Gloria Davis, U.S. Army (gunshot wound, death ruled suicide)
26 Nov 06: SSG Jeannette Dunn, U.S. Army (non-combat related injury, outcome of investigation unknown)
4 Sep 06: Pfc Hannah McKinney, U.S. Army (struck by vehicle, family believes rape & murder)
8 Apr 06: Lance Cpl. Juana Arellano, U.S. Marine Corps (wounds received supporting combat operations)
11 Mar 06: Pfc Amy Duerksen, U.S. Army (non-combat gunshot injury, parents share in media Amy was raped at Fort Hood prior to deployment)
1 Mar 06: Pfc Tina Priest, U.S. Army (reported rape, died of non-combat gunshot wound to the chest, cold case)
7 Jan 06: 1LT Jaime L. Campbell, Alaska Army National Guard (helicopter crash)

2005
19 Jul 05: Pfc LaVena Johnson, U.S. Army (non-combat gunshot injury, death ruled suicide, family claims rape and murder based on autopsy evidence)
4 Mar 05: Spc Adriana Salem, U.S. Army (accident, military vehicle roll over)
1 Mar 05: Spc Lizbeth Robles, U.S. Army (injuries sustained in a military vehicle accident)
16 Feb 05: Spc Katrina Bell-Johnson, U.S. Army (accident, vehicle rollover)

2004
13 Dec 04: SSG Tina Time, U.S. Army Reserve (supply truck she was driving during a dust storm collided with another military vehicle)
4 Oct 04: SSG Gina Sparks, U.S. Army (died at Fort Polk, Louisiana from injuries sustained from a non-combat gunshot wound in Iraq)
6 Jun 04: Pfc Melissa Hobart, U.S. Army (undetermined cause, died after collapsing while on guard duty)
7 Mar 04: Capt Gussie Jones, U.S. Army (non-combat related cause, outcome of investigation unknown)
14 Jan 04: SSG Keicia Hines, U.S. Army (Army reports accidentally struck by a vehicle)

2003
8 Nov 03: SSG Linda Jimenez, U.S. Army (medical, fell running to keep up with friends, died of complications at Walter Reed after a blood clot formed, caused stroke)
1 Oct 03: Spc Tamarra Ramos, U.S. Army (medical, non-combat related injuries, cancer)
15 Sep 03: Spc Alyssa Peterson, U.S. Army (gunshot wound, death ruled suicide)
9 Jul 03: SSG Melissa Valles, U.S. Army (noncombat gunshot wound to abdomen)
8 May 03: CIVILIAN Elizabeth Neuffer, Boston Globe Journalist (automobile accident)

Related Links:
Non Combat Deaths of Female Service Members in the U.S. Military (Afghanistan)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Service Members in the U.S. Military (Other Areas)
Noonie Fortin: Killed in Iraq or in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
Is There an Army Cover-Up of Rape and Murder of Women Soldiers?
U.S. Military Keeping Secrets About Female Soldiers’ ‘Suicides’?
Military Policy and Legislation Considerations for the Investigations of Non Combat Death, Homicide, and Suicide of US Service Members

Disabled Army Veteran Felicia Reeves Found Hanging in a New Jersey Motel Room; Homicide Task Force’s Probe of Cause of Death Upholds Suicide Finding (August 19, 2015)

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Felicia Reeves, US Army

US Army veteran Felicia Reeves, 40, was found hanging August 19, 2015 in a bathroom in a room at the Royal Motel in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Initially the police ruled her death a suicide but the family questioned the investigator’s decision. One year later, Union County prosecutor’s reopened the probe into the investigation of Felicia to determine if in fact this was a homicide. According to her family, Felicia Reeves was a disabled veteran and had ties to organized criminal elements who might have wanted to silence her. The family also shared that she was sexually assaulted while stationed in Korea and her back was hurt during the attack which is what caused her permanent disability. She suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well. Felicia escaped a couple abusive relationships and in the past couple years became associated with people who appeared to be taking advantage of her and manipulating her. Felicia’s painkiller prescription from the Department of Veterans Affairs was a frequent target for her new found friends. Felicia was in the process of trying to get custody of her two sons and had recently become concerned that she may be in danger. In February 2017, a homicide task force looking into the death of Felicia Reeves told the family that their investigation upholds the suicide ruling and the case was closed. Reeves’ sister Suzan Bayorgeon said “nothing about the New Jersey decision surprises her. Nor does it change her belief that Reeves was murdered, with her death made to look like a suicide.”

“Reeves had been in several bad relationships before her death and didn’t trust other people. Reeves’ sister, Suzan Bayorgeon, told the news outlet that Reeves had repeatedly commented that if she were discovered dead, it would be a murder.” -NJ.com

Related Links:
Family disputes police claims about daughter’s case
Death of WNC Veteran Raises More Questions than Answers
Hendersonville family questions circumstances of Felicia Reeves’ death
Hendersonville Family Raises Questions About Sister’s Suicide
Sister warned to stop seeking answers about death of Felicia Reeves
What happened to Felicia Reeves?
Army vet’s family questions whether she really took her own life
Death of Hendersonville woman, ruled a suicide, now reviewed as possible homicide
NJ, NC authorities looking into Reeves’ death, disappearance
Prosecutors reopen probe into Army vet found dead in motel
Authorities Revisit Mysterious Death Of North Carolina Woman
Authorities Revisit Mysterious Death Of North Carolina Woman
Probe of woman’s death upholds suicide finding

Air Force Captain William DuBois Died When F-16 Aircraft Crashed in Jordan; USAF Accident Investigation Board Ruled Rapid Descent Caused Crash (2014)

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Captain William DuBois, US Air Force

Air Force Captain William DuBois, 30, of New Castle, Colorado died December 1, 2014 when his F-16 aircraft crashed near a coalition air base in Jordan. Captain DuBois was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve on behalf of the 77th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Captain DuBois grew up in New Castle, Colorado and graduated from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The accident was investigated and the Air Force accident investigation board reported that a rapid descent caused the fatal F-16 crash.

Because he was flying so low, DuBois was unable to recognize and recover from the descent. After pulling out of the turn, about one second before hitting the ground, DuBois apparently was able to see he was too low and attempted a 4G level pull away from the ground, but it was too late. –Air Force Times

Related Links:
Obituary: Capt William H “Will” Dubois
Air Force Capt. William H. Dubois
About Captain H.”Pyro” DuBois, Jr
Remembering Capt. William H. Dubois
DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
Captain William H. DuBois Memorial Service
Shaw AFB pilot dies in F-16 crash in Middle East
US Air Force pilot killed in crash in Mideast
Air Force: Colorado Captain Killed In F-16 Crash
Badass Alert: Remembering Capt. Will “Pyro” Dubois
A Nickel On The Grass for Captain William H. Dubois
Air Force pilot killed in Middle East crash identified
Colorado pilot killed in F-16 crash in Middle East
New Castle man dies in mission against ISIS
Air Force pilot from Colorado killed in crash
Colorado Native William Dubois Named as F-16 Pilot Killed in Crash
US Air Force pilot, Capt. William DuBois, of Colorado, killed in F-16 crash in Middle East
F-16 top gun DuBois — ‘once in a generation’
Body of Air Force pilot returning to Colorado, flags lowered in honor
Captain William Dubois, a fallen hero, comes home
Fallen Air Force Captain William DuBois Returns Home
Body Of Fallen Air Force Pilot Returning To Home State Colorado
Governor Hickenlooper Orders Flags Lowered in Honor of Capt. William DuBois
New Castle plans memorial to Air Force pilot
USAF: Rapid descent caused fatal F-16 crash in December
Air Force: F-16 pilot in crash didn’t know he was descending
In Memoriam: William H. Dubois
In Memory Of Captain William H. DuBois
5K honors fallen Colorado Air Force captain
Annual 5k honors Colorado airman killed in action
New Castle to remember 
fallen jet pilot
New Castle honoring Air Force pilot killed in combat
Air Force Captain William H. DuBois (Congressional Record)
Aviation Safety Network Wikibase Occurrence #171812


U.S. Air Force Capt. William H. DuBois, 30, of New Castle, Colorado, was killed in a crash Monday in the Middle East. -Denver 7

Navy Reserve Cmdr. Christopher Kalafut Died of a Non-Combat Related Incident at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar (2014)

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Cmdr. Christopher Kalafut, US Navy Reserve

Navy Commander Christopher Kalafut, 49, of Oceanside, California died of a non-combat related incident on October 24, 2014 at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar. He was found dead in his room. Cmdr. Kalafut was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom on behalf of the Naval Amphibious Liaison Element, Combined Forces Air Component Center at U.S. Central Command. Cmdr. Kalafut graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy in 1987 and entered active duty as an E-2C Hawkeye pilot. He spent some time on the USS Abraham Lincoln and spent six years in the service before leaving and entering the Navy Reserve. He had a civilian job as a pilot for Delta in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time of the DoD press release, the incident was under investigation. The official cause of death is unknown.

He flew with the reserves less often in recent years. The July deployment, a non-flying position, was seen as a final step before retirement. –Steve Kalafut (father)

Related Links:
Obituary: Cmdr. Christopher “Chris” Edward Kalafut
Navy Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut
DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
Navy officer dies in Qatar
Navy pilot from Acworth dies in Qatar
Navy commander from Oceanside killed overseas
Navy Officer And Father Of Five Dies In Qatar
San Diego Naval Officer Dies in Qatar
Naval Commander From Oceanside Who Died in Qatar Identified
Navy officer found dead at Qatar air base was pilot nearing retirement, dad says
Navy Officer Found Dead in Qatar Was Pilot Nearing Retirement
Tribute To Our Fallen Soldiers – US Navy Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut, 49, of Oceanside, CA


Cmdr. Christopher E. Kalafut, US Navy

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Sean Neal Died from a Non-Combat Related Incident in Baghdad, Iraq in Support of Operation Inherent Resolve (2014)

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Lance Cpl. Sean Neal, US Marine Corps

Marine Lance Cpl. Sean Neal, 19, of Riverside, California died from a non-combat related incident on October 23, 2014 in Baghdad, Iraq. Lance Cpl. Neal was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve on behalf of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, whose headquarters element deploys from Camp Pendleton, California. At the time of the DoD press release, the incident was under investigation. The official cause of death is unknown.

Related Links:
Obituary: Marine Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal
Marine Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
Marine dies in Baghdad in noncombat incident
19-Year-Old Marine Is First Soldier to Die Fighting ISIS in Iraq
DOD: Marine’s death 1st in Iraq, 2nd since start of US campaign against Islamic State
Riverside Marine dies in Iraq, second to die in Islamic State mission
Marine, 19, becomes second U.S. military death in campaign against ISIS just one month after deployment to Iraq
Marine’s death in Iraq under investigation
Marine Is Reclassified as First to Die in Operation Inherent Resolve
California Marine is first service member to die in Iraq on mission against Islamic State
Marine becomes first U.S. military serviceman to die in Iraq while fighting ISIS, officials say
Riverside Marine, 19, Dies in Iraq; Is Second Military Member to Die in US Mission Against ISIS
First US military death announced since Isis offensive started in Iraq
In Memory Of Us Marine Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal


In Memory Of US Marine Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal

PSYOPS Army Major Jonathan Walker Died of Non Combat Related Incident in Qatar in Support of Operation Inherent Resolve (2014)

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Major Jonathan Walker, US Army

Army Major Jonathan Walker, 44, of Merriam, Kansas died of a non-combat related incident on October 1, 2014 at Camp As Sayliyah in Doha, Qatar. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve on behalf of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. At the time of the DoD press release, the incident was under investigation. The official cause of death is unknown.

Related Links:
Obituary: Jonathan D. Walker
Army Maj. Jonathan D. Walker
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Fort Bragg soldier dies in Qatar
Army Loses Two: A PSYOPS Major And a Green Beret Sgt 1st Class
Interview with MAJ Jonathan Walker
Violent Crime, Non Combat Death & Suicide at Fort Bragg

Army Reservist SSG Virginia Caballero Died on Plane Enroute in US After Deployment in Kuwait, Family Received Conflicting Accounts of Cause of Death (September 13, 2014)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Army, In Their Name, Medical, Military Policy, Non Combat Death, Stateside Death, Suspicious Deaths2 Comments

If you have any information that could help this family find answers, please contact us at militaryjusticeforall@gmail.com. Thank you.

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SSG Virginia Caballero, US Army Reserves (2014)

Honoring SSG Virginia Caballero, US Army Reserves, who became ill while en-route from Kuwait and then died unexpectedly shortly thereafter at a hospital in Rockford, Illinois on September 13, 2014. Apparently the commercial plane needed fuel and/or had to do an emergency landing for Virginia in Rockford, Illinois. It appears that they were on their way to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. According to reports, Caballero was a Reservist stationed with the 452nd Combat Support Hospital, 330th Medical Brigade out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin but trained at Fort McCoy prior to her deployment to Kuwait.  She served in Kuwait for roughly eight months and for some reason was coming home a month early with a high ranking travel companion. Media reports claim she wanted to surprise her family in Texas. It is believed Caballero suffered from a blood clot which was exacerbated with the altitude on the flight. She was not listed as a non-combat death by the Department of Defense but this would in fact be considered a non-combat death due to medical. The family admits in newspaper articles that a lot of the details are sketchy.

Here are the questions we have after combing through the below articles. Why was she coming home a month early accompanied by a high ranking travel companion if she was going to surprise her family? Did something happen in country prior to her boarding that plane? Was this an early surprise for family in Texas or an expedited transfer from Kuwait back to the states? The military isn’t in the business of assigning high ranking travel companions unless there is an issue. Were there any concerns about medical health prior to boarding the plane? Where were they flying to? Rockford, Illinois is only a couple hour drive from Fort McCoy. Why did they not land the plane sooner at a larger airport like Chicago when the medical issues began to develop or the fuel began to get low? Why did the DoD not send out an official notification of non-combat death considering she was on active duty orders in support of war efforts in Kuwait? Criminal Investigation Division (CID) was assigned to investigate the cause of death of Virginia. The family was asked to submit a FOIA request for the results of the investigation.

Related Links:
Army Soldier Reflects on Life Overseas and Time Back Home
Lubbock movers reach out to help purple heart recipient
Soldier flying home to surprise family in Texas dies en route
Decorated soldier flying home to surprise family in Abernathy dies en route
Local Purple Heart Recipient Died While On Active Duty
Purple heart recipient’s body to arrive in Lubbock on Saturday
Family, friends remember Virginia Caballero as Veterans Day approaches
The Heart of a Soldier: Sergeant earns hero’s salute from hometown
USAR SSG Virginia Caballero, 41 (Noonie Fortin)
Non Combat Deaths of Female Soldiers in the US Military (Other Areas)
Tribute to SSG Virginia Caballero from her Family
Abell Funeral Home Tribute to Virginia Caballero

Fort Bragg Army Pfc. Darrell Robinson Found Dead on Post (August 31, 2014)

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Pfc Darrell Robinson, U.S. Army

Related Links:
MP soldier found dead at Fort Bragg
Soldier from San Angelo Found Dead at Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg soldier’s death Sunday under investigation
Bragg officials investigating military police officer’s death
Death Of Soldier With Military Dog Unit Under Investigation
Family mourns loss of soldier at Fort Bragg

Air Force SSgt. Samuel Davis Died at Off-Base Home in Alaska; Parents Report Complications After Back Surgery (2014)

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SSgt. Samuel Davis, US Air Force

Air Force SSgt. Samuel Davis, 33, died at his off base home in Alaska on February 23, 2014. According to his family, he died from complications after a back surgery. SSgt. Davis was assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in 2011 where he worked as an aerospace maintenance craftsman with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Media reports indicate that SSgt. Davis was the fourth serviceman from JBER found dead this month: Army Sgt. Okan Cetinbag, February 11; SrA Katrina Jackson on February 15; and SSgt. Darian Miller on February 18.

Related Links:
JBER airman found dead
Air Force sergeant dies at Alaska off-base home (Military Times)
Airman to be buried in Spencer
Funeral Set for Former Roane Resident SSgt. Sam Davis
Air Force investigates JBER death
Investigators probe death of JBER sergeant at off-base residence
Soldier’s death marks fourth JBER fatality in a month
JBER airman’s passing marks fourth death in February
Soldiers/Veterans Dead of Probable Sudden Cardiac Death (PROB SCD)
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (Army & Air Force)