Naples man among 3 Marines found dead in a car in North Carolina. What we know so far
Three U.S. Marines were found dead inside a parked car on Sunday in Hampstead, North Carolina, including Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples.
Pender County Sheriff's Office deputies said the investigation is underway to find a cause of death. Here is what is known so far as of Tuesday, July 25:
Who were the three victims?
They were Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, from Madison, Wisconsin; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Merax C. Dockery, 23, from Pottawatomie, Oklahoma; and Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples, Florida.
The U.S. Marines Corps announced the names of the three men on Tuesday after they were identified by the 2nd Marines Logistics Group.
“My deepest sympathy and condolences are extended to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lance Cpl. Kaltenberg, Lance Cpl. Dockery and Lance Cpl. Garcia,” Brig. Gen. Michael E. McWilliams, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, said in a statement. “Our focus is providing the necessary resources and support to those impacted by their tragic loss as they navigate this extremely difficult time.”
Where were the men found?
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. Deputies came to the scene for a report of a missing person.
Breaking news story: Three Marines found dead inside car at Hampstead gas station
Is there a cause of death known at this time?
At the moment, the cause of death is unknown.
The causes of their deaths are under investigation by the Pender County Sheriff's Office. The 2nd Marine Logistics Group is assisting local authorities and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
According to a news release from the U.S. Marine Corps, the men were pronounced dead by a medical authority on Sunday.
Is there a larger threat to the community?
"There does not appear to have ever been any threat to members of the community," officials stated in a news release from the sheriff's office.
Who was Naples' Ivan R. Garcia?
Within a statement from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, some details were shared about Garcia. He was a motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
He entered active duty service in July 2019.
Contributing reporting: Chase Jordan, Wilmington StarNews
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida Marine Ivan Garcia among 3 found dead in car in NC
