A Marine from Madison and two others were found dead in a car in North Carolina. Here's what we know.

Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
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Three U.S. Marine lance corporals were found dead at a North Carolina gas station close to Marine base Camp Lejeune, according to authorities.

On Sunday morning, deputies received a call from a mother that her son, who was a U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, didn't arrive on a flight in Oklahoma the previous night, according to the Sherriff's department. The mother indicated she'd spoken with a supervisor from his unit and someone was enroute to locate the missing person.

Deputies responded to investigate a separate report of a missing person and found the three Marines around 9 a.m. on July 23 at a Speedway convenience store on U.S. Highway 17 in Hampstead North Carolina, according to the sheriff's department.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Who was Marine from Madison?

Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, of Madison, Wisconsin, was one of three U.S. Marines found dead in a vehicle in North Carolina.
Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, of Madison, Wisconsin, was one of three U.S. Marines found dead in a vehicle in North Carolina.

The U.S. Marine Corps identified the Wisconsin man as Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, of Madison.

Kaltenberg entered active-duty service in May 2021, according to the military. Before Camp Lejeune, he was based in San Diego at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood.

Kaltenberg attended Verona Area High School and played baseball and hockey, according to Madison-area news reports from his prep sports career.

Who were the other Marines?

Merax C. Dockery, 23, from Pottawatomie, Oklahoma; and Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples, Florida.

Dockery entered active-duty service in June 2020, according to the military. He was previously based in San Diego at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, in Pendleton, California at the School of Infantry West and in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood.

Garcia entered active duty service in July 2023. He was previously based in South Carolina at Parris Island, at Camp Lejeune and in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood.

All three men were motor vehicle operators in the 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

Where is Camp Lejuene?

U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Was foul play involved?

No foul play is suspected in the matter, Sgt. Chester Ward, the sheriff's office spokesman, told the Associated Press.

The Sheriff's office said there does not appear to have been any threat to members in the community.

What was the cause of death?

All three deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Sherriff's office. Autopsies were performed on July 26 by the North Carolina Office of Medical Examiner.

Families of the deceased were notified by the U.S. Marine Corp Officials, according to the Sherriff's department.

Sophie Carson contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 3 Marines found dead in car in North Carolina, what we know