Three Marines based at Camp Lejeune were found dead Sunday inside a car parked near the North Carolina base, military and local officials said Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps)
Three Marines based at Camp Lejeune were found dead Sunday inside a car parked near the North Carolina base, military and local officials said Tuesday.
Pender County Sheriff's Office deputies who were responding to a missing person's report at about 9 a.m. found the three Marines dead inside a private vehicle at a gas station in Hampstead, N.C., the sheriff’s office said Tuesday in a statement. The Marine Corps identified the deceased individuals as three lance corporals, all assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 2, which is part of 2nd Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune.
Base officials identified the deceased Marines as Lance Cpl. Tanner J. Kaltenberg, Lance Cpl. Merax C. Dockery and Lance Cpl. Ivan R. Garcia. All three Marines were motor vehicle operators responsible for driving various tactical vehicles.
“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 McWilliams, who commands 2nd Marine Logistics Group, said in the statement. “Our focus is on providing the necessary resources and support to those impacted by their tragic loss as they navigate this extremely difficult time.”
The deaths are under investigation by the Pender County Sheriff’s Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is helping, according to the Marine Corps.
The sheriff’s office provided few details in its news release, including how the Marines died. Police told the Port City Daily that foul play was not suspected in the deaths, the Wilmington, N.C.-based newspaper reported.
Kaltenberg, 19, was from Madison, Wis., and entered the Corps in May 2021. He had served at least one sea deployment and earned the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon indicating he had served at least 28 days above the Arctic Circle, according to the Marines.
Dockery, 23, was from Pottawatomie, Okla., and entered the Marine Corps in June 2020, according to the Marines.
Garcia, 23, was from Naples, Fla., and entered the Marines in July 2019, the service said.
