Fort Hood soldier, 25, who collapsed during training 'was found dead with bruises and scratches after telling fiance "something is wrong"' - as his family allege foul play at base linked to 28 deaths
A Fort Hood soldier who collapsed during training was found dead with bruises and scratches after texting his fiance 'something was wrong', according to his family.
The Army said Pvt. Corlton L. Chee, 25, collapsed during fitness training at Fort Hood on August 28. He died two days later.
There have been 27 other soldiers who have died at Fort Hood this year. Congress has launched an investigation into all 28 deaths.
Army tank crewman Chee, from New Mexico, is said to have messaged his fiance that he was concerned about three men who didn't like him and that 'something was wrong' shortly before his death.
The Army said Pvt. Corlton L. Chee , pictured, collapsed during training on August 28 Chee is said to have messaged his fiance that he was concerned about three men who didn't like him and that 'something was wrong' shortly before his death
Chee (pictured) was believed to have been in 'great physical shape' prior to his collapse
Carma Johnson, Chee's cousin and his family's spokesperson, said Monday that he was being targeted and did not want to go to the fitness training that morning because 'he felt that something was going to happen.'
It was the last time the family heard from Chee, Johnson said. Authorities informed his family that night that he was in the hospital in critical condition.
Johnson said Chee's body was found with bruises, scratches and a bump on the back of his head. The family is alleging that foul play was involved.
Vanessa Guillen, 20, vanished from the base after telling her family she was being sexually harassed. Her body was discovered in July
Last week, the body of Sgt. Elder Fernandes, 23, (left) was discovered after he went missing back on August 17. Fort Hood soldier, Pfc. Gregory Morales, right was reported missing from the base a year ago on August 20, 2019. The 24-year-old's remains were found on June 21 in a field in Killeen
There have been 27 other soldiers who have died at Fort Hood this year. Congress has launched an investigation into all 28 deaths
Fort Hood officials issued a statement on September 8 denying that foul play was a factor in Chee's death.
'Witnesses stated PV2 Chee showed no signs of struggling and was running at the front of the group when he collapsed near the end of the run,' the statement said. They said an exact cause of death had not yet been determined.
Chee was from Pinehill, New Mexico, and his awards included the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon, officials said.
A GoFundMe established in Chee's name indicates that he joined the military in February and had a fiancee and a two-year-old and three-week-old son. He was also a lifetime member of the Ramah Navajo community.
His death came the same day a welcoming ceremony was held for the base's new commander Major General John Richardson IV, who has taken over the role after Deputy Commanding General Scott Efflandt was removed from the position.
According to data from Fort Hood officials, the 28 deaths include five homicides, as well as accidents, suicides, deaths related to illness, cases still under investigation and one combat-related death.
Earlier this month it was announced that Congress will launch an investigation into sexual assault, disappearances, deaths and the leadership's response at the base.
The members of Congress cited the deaths of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who according to federal officials was bludgeoned to death at the Texas base in April by a fellow soldier, and Pvt. Gregory Morales, whose remains were found in June while searching for Guillen. Morales was reported missing in August 2019.
In May of this year the body of Army Pfc. Brandon S. Rosecrans, pictured, was discovered with gunshot wounds and his Jeep was found three miles away engulfed in flames
The body of Spc. Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas, 24, left, was recovered from Stillhouse Hollow Lake following a boating incident. Shelby Tyler Jones, right, was shot dead at a convenience store in Killeen in March
Pvt. Mejhor Morta, 26, of Pensacola, Florida was found dead July 17 in the vicinity of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, around 15 miles from the Fort Hood base
A letter also names Pvt. Mejhor Morta and Sgt. Elder Fernandes, whose deaths are still under investigation, and the homicide investigations of Pvt. Brandon Scott Rosecrans, Spc. Freddy Delacruz Jr. and Spc. Shelby Tyler Jones.
Army Specialist Miguel Yazzie, 33, died on July 2; Yazzie, of Window Rock, Arizona, was hospitalized for a medical condition the day before he died.
Other soldiers to have died this year include: Spc. Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas and Spc. Christopher Wayne Sawyer.
The family of Guillen, whose remains were found on July 1, has rallied from Texas to the doors of the White House calling for a congressional investigation.
Natalie Khawam, who represents the Guillen family, said she is thankful Congress has agreed to their demands to investigate.
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