What we know about Lely High graduate and Marine killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in NC

Emma Behrmann, Naples Daily News
·2 min read
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Ivan Garcia graduated from Lely High School in 2019 and entered active-duty service in the Marines that July; four years later, he died.

The 23-year-old Marine lance corporal was found dead inside a parked car in Hampstead, North Carolina with two other Marines: Lance Cpl. Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, from Madison, Wisconsin, and Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Merax C. Dockery, 23, from Pottawatomie, Oklahoma.

Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples, Florida, was one of three U.S. Marines found dead in a vehicle in North Carolina.
Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples, Florida, was one of three U.S. Marines found dead in a vehicle in North Carolina.

Pender Sheriff Alan Cutler said the three men were found by authorities inside a four-door sedan parked at Speedway gas station on U.S. 47 in Hampstead, about 30 miles south of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Deputies came to the scene for a report of a missing person.

According to autopsies, the three died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

More: Naples man among 3 Marines found dead in a car in North Carolina. What we know so far

The three marines were based in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
The three marines were based in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Who was Ivan Garcia?

Garcia completed one year of JROTC during his time at Lely High in Naples.

"It is a sad day anytime one of our CCPS alumni passes away, especially at such a young age," said Chad Oliver, a spokesperson for the school district.

He graduated from Lely in 2019 and entered active-duty service in July 2019, according to the U.S. Marine Corps. Prior to Camp Lejeune, he was stationed in San Diego at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood. He was also based at the Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina.

He was a motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, according to a statement from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

His military awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and Global War on Terror Service Medal.

Rosely Garcia identified herself as Garcia's aunt on Facebook. She updated both her profile and cover photos to pictures with her nephew. She also shared a video compilation of photos of him as a child, in uniform and surrounded by family.

In Spanish, she wrote about the emptiness his death has left her and described him as her "beautiful child."

Emma Behrmann is a breaking news reporter for The Naples Daily News and News-Press. You may contact her at ebehrmann@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @emmabehrmann.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Ivan Garcia, Lely HS grad, died in North Carolina with 2 other Marines