The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Henry M. Jackson arrives to its homeport at Naval Base Kitsap, just west of Seattle, following a strategic deterrent patrol, April 4, 2018. The Navy is investigating the death of a crewmember whose body was found Tuesday at his apartment on Naval Base Kitsap. (Michael Smith/U.S. Navy)

The Navy is investigating the death of a ballistic-missile submarine crewmember whose body was found Tuesday at his apartment on Navy Base Kitsap, just west of Seattle.

Navy Lt. Corey T. Jones, spokesman for Submarine Group 9, the component of the Pacific Fleet’s missiles submarines based in Puget Sound, confirmed the death in an email on Wednesday. 

The sailor’s name, rank and cause of death are being withheld pending notification of his next of kin, Jones said. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is making an official inquiry. 

The Navy said the sailor was assigned to the “blue crew” of the USS Henry M. Jackson, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine. Each missile submarine maintains two full crews — named “blue” and “gold” for the Navy’s official colors. The crews alternate deployments, allowing the submarine to maximize time on patrol while giving crewmembers long periods ashore for training and recreation.

The Navy is still investigating the October 22 death of a crew member of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as a possible suicide. The Kitsap County Medical Examiner’s Office has independently determined the cause of death as suicide.

If confirmed by the Navy, the sailor who died October 22 would be the third suicide at Naval Base Kitsap this year.

The Defense Department reported last month that suicide rates rose 3% between 2021 and 2022, the latest statistics available.