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Norm Parish of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported today (link defunct) that the Army investigation into the July 2005 death of Pfc. LaVena L. Johnson has concluded that she killed herself. This is essentially a repeat of the military’s initial findings. LaVena’s father, John Johnson, maintains that the young Florissant woman met her end by foul play and is considering an independent autopsy.
So far as casual searches can tell, no interviews have been published featuring LaVena’s fellow soldiers in the 129th Corps Support Battalion. It is possible that such testimonies might shed light on the circumstances surrounding her death.
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Everything about this story turns my stomach.
I hope the Johnsons do proceed with the independent autopsy.
But of course, then what?