A 27-year-old Fort Bliss soldier “took his own life” only two days before two other soldiers died in unrelated car accidents.
Staff Sergeant John D.S. Bailey from Hawaii committed suicide on January 14, his grieving father told KITV.
Only two days before he was found dead, Specialist Kenmaj D. Graham, 21, was killed in a hit and run and Sergeant Dejaun K. Frazier, 43, died in a motorcycle crash.
The three deaths in only four days come two weeks after a female soldier was found dead in her barracks.
Private First Class Asia Graham, 19, was found lifeless on New Year’s Eve after claiming another soldier, 21-year-old Christian Alvarado, sexually assaulted her in 2019.
Army officials are currently investigating the circumstances but Staff Sergeant Bailey’s heartbroken father, Matt Bailey, said that his son took his own life after his “demons overcame him.”
The grieving father warned of mental health problems in the military and wrote on Facebook: “They became too much for (John) to bear and he took his own life.”
“Reach out to your loved ones – military or not. Let them know that they don’t have to carry their burdens alone,” he said.
“If in the military, tell them that it’s not a weakness to ask for help. John’s friends and family have been shattered by his death. Nothing will ever make that pain go away, but if by talking about it we can prevent even one unnecessary death, it might lessen it a bit.”
Sergeant Bailey joined the US army in January 2013. He arrived at Fort Bliss in March 2019.
Captain Kristopher Italiano, Headquarters Company Commander, said the Texas base was “deeply saddened about the loss of such a bright and talented NCO.”
“Staff Sgt. Bailey was above all else, a genuine and incredibly caring person. He was a member of our Family. His kindness and compassion toward his fellow Soldiers extended well beyond the scope of his daily duties as a mortar platoon sergeant,” he added, according to KFox14.
Sergeant Bailey was the second of four Fort Bliss soldiers to die three weeks after Private First Class Asia Graham was found dead on New Year’s Eve.
Before she died, she had accused Alvarado of sexually assaulting her.
Alvarado was arraigned in a general court-martial hearing on January 14 and was charged with one count of aggravated assault, two counts of making a false statement, and three counts of sexual assault.
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