In a baffling incident, three young Marines were discovered deceased in a car at a gas station in North Carolina on Sunday morning. The cause of their untimely deaths remains unknown, with local authorities ruling out any foul play or drug involvement. Sgt. Chester Ward from the Pender County Sheriff’s Department stated that they are currently waiting for the autopsy results to provide more clarity on the situation.
The grim discovery was made by deputies who were responding to a missing person’s report. The Marines were found in a sedan parked at a Speedway convenience store in Hampstead, a location about an hour’s drive from Camp Lejeune. The Sheriff’s office reported the bodies were discovered around 9 a.m. Sunday.
The deceased Marines were identified as Tanner Kaltenberg, a 19-year-old from Madison, Wisconsin; Merax Cockery, a 23-year-old from Pottawatomie, Oklahoma; and Ivan Garcia, a 23-year-old from Naples, Florida. All three were serving as lance corporals, as per reports.
Brig. Gen. Michael McWilliams, the commanding officer of the Second Marine Logistics Group, extended his deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased Marines. He assured that the group is committed to providing all necessary resources and support to those affected by this tragic incident.
While the Marine Corps was not available for comment on Tuesday, it did confirm that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths is currently in progress.