Three US sailors from the USS George Washington, a US nuclear-powered general-purpose aircraft carrier, were found dead in less than a week, the US Navy said. Navy Criminal Investigation and local authorities are investigating the deaths, reports CNN and relays Le Parisien.
The US aircraft carrier has been docked in Newport News, Virginia, since August 2017, where it will undergo a complex refueling and overhaul, a one-time process designed to replace the ship’s nuclear fuel and refit the ship for future operations, American media say.
Unexplained Deaths
A Sailor was found dead aboard the aircraft carrier on Friday April 15, while the lifeless bodies of two other Sailors were discovered outside the base on April 9 and 10.
“Although these incidents are still being investigated, there is no initial evidence that there is a connection between these tragic events.”said Commander Reann Mommsen, spokeswoman for the US Navy. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family, friends and shipmates of our seafarers “, she added.
The third victim has not been identified.
The Navy did not provide any information on the cause of death.
The first Sailor found, who died on April 9, was identified as Retail Services Specialist Seaman 3rd Class Mikail Sharp. The next day, Natasha Huffman was identified as the second deceased: a 3rd Class Indoor Communications Electrician. The identity of the third sailor found dead aboard the aircraft carrier is not yet known.
A psychiatric team was dispatched to the ship to provide psychological support to the seafarers still on board.
Three Sailors from American Aircraft Carrier USS Washington Found Dead in Less Than a WeekEXPAND