Three sailors assigned to Norfolk’s naval maintenance center have died by suicide in recent weeks, local US media said in a report.
Three sailors assigned to Norfolk’s naval maintenance center have died by suicide in recent weeks.
Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine confirmed the rash of suicides Monday, which occurred throughout the month of November.
All three sailors were assigned to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center at Naval Station Norfolk. Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center operates under Naval Sea Systems Command to maintain military ships.
Warner’s and Kaine’s offices are in contact with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center about the deaths, but were unable to provide additional details. The military has not publicly commented on the deaths.
Kaine said he will raise the issue of the deaths with Naval leadership directly, describing the issue of service member suicides as “an immense challenge” facing the military community.
It was earlier reported that, Seven sailors who were assigned to the USS George Washington have been found dead in a crisis that has gripped the US Navy over the last year.
Three were found dead within the space of one week earlier this month.
Retail Service Specialist 3rd Class Mika’il Sharp was found dead off-base in Portsmouth, Va., on April 9.
His mom Natalie Jefferson said he was “the life of the party”.
She told NBC: “I would never have thought it would hit so close to home like this.”
He followed in the footsteps of her great-grandfather by joining the Navy.
Jefferson revealed that he was planning to buy a house and start a family.
A day later, Interior Communication Electrician 3rd Class Natasha Huffman, 23, was found dead in Hampton, Virginia.
Her mom Kathleen Krull said: “She had a heart of gold and always stood up for the underdog.”
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Huffman’s grieving boyfriend Will Maher branded his partner his “best friend and soulmate.”
In an emotional post, he said: “I don’t think Tasha realized how many lives she touched.”
Coroners confirmed that Sharp and Huffman died by suicide.
Medics found Xavier Hunter Mitchell-Sandor, a Master-at-Arms Seaman Recruit, unresponsive days later.
He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead on April 15.
He had enlisted into the Navy in August after training in San Antonio, Texas, according to USNI News.
His death is believed to be an apparent suicide.
Navy officials said the deaths don’t appear to be linked but an investigation is being carried out by officials.
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