HAMPSTEAD, NORTH CAROLINA: The three young US Marines, who were found dead in a vehicle outside a North Carolina store, reportedly died of carbon monoxide poisoning, the local sheriff's office said. The Pender County Sheriff's Office said deputies were responding to a report of a missing person on Sunday, July 23, when the trio was discovered unresponsive inside a privately owned four-door Sedan, parked at the Speedway gas station on US Highway 17 in Hampstead, about an hour's drive from where they were stationed at Camp Lejeune.
The sheriff's office said the search for a missing person was conducted after a woman called 911 at 8:22 am to report that her Marine son had failed to arrive on a flight from Oklahoma the previous night. "The caller indicated that she had spoken with a supervisor in his unit and that someone was en route to the location to see if they could locate the missing person," the office said. The woman directed deputies to the gas station because she had pinged her son's phone to find its location, said Sgt Chester Ward, spokesperson for the sheriff's office. At around 9:03 am, deputies received another call with information that the missing person had been found dead inside a vehicle along with two other Marines.
How did the 3 US Marines die?
The military later identified the three marines as Tanner J Kaltenberg, 19, of Madison, Wisconsin; Merax C Dockery, 23, of Pottawatomie, Oklahoma; and Ivan R Garcia, 23, of Naples, Florida. All three marines were motor vehicle operators, who served with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, and the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. On Wednesday, July 26, autopsies conducted by the North Carolina Office of Medical Examiner determined that the trio’s death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, reported NY Post.
The sheriff's office did not immediately clarify if the fatalities were accidental, but deputies said the investigation is ongoing and there isn't thought to be a danger to the public. "I am saddened by the timeless and tragic death of these three young men, who served our country honorably," Sheriff Alan Cutler said, adding, "Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and colleagues during this time." In a statement Tuesday, the US Marine Corps said all three were pronounced dead “by a competent medical authority” and the case is under investigation by the sheriff’s office. “[The] 2nd Marine Logistics Group will continue to support NCIS and local authorities in the conduct of their investigation,” the statement said.
'It’s never goodbye'
The deaths have sent shockwaves to their devastated family. Previously, Kaltenberg's devastated sister Brianna Windisch paid him a moving tribute with an emotional post that said, "Our whole world is flipped upside down right now. I miss you fiercely bro… it’s never goodbye, it’s see you later. I love you so much." Garcia’s aunt, Rosely Garcia, also remembered him while speaking to The US Sun, where she remembered him as an "exemplary" person who respected his elders and was affectionate and friendly. "He was very special to us, his relatives were very happy, he liked to help others, he liked to spend time with his family, he was not a problematic boy," Rosely said, adding, "For me, Ivan, like his aunt, was all my heart. My mother, who is his grandmother, is devastated. Ivan my boy, we will miss you. You were and will always be my beautiful boy."
