This story has been updated. It was originally published on Jan. 3, 2020, at 3:02 p.m.
Army officials are investigating the deaths of two Texas soldiers who passed away over New Year's. They add to a string of mysterious disappearances and deaths at or near Army posts in the state.
Staff sergeant Jessica Mitchell, a drill instructor at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, died early Friday after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Off-base police were dispatched to the eastbound side of I-10, where they found Mitchell’s car with several bullet holes in the driver’s side.
Mitchell, a dental Specialist, had been assigned to the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence since August 2019. She was on holiday leave at the time of her death.
Across the state in El Paso, 19-year-old Private first class Asia Graham was found unresponsive in her barracks room at Fort Bliss on New Year’s Eve.
She was later pronounced dead by emergency services personnel on base. Graham, a North Carolina native, served as a human resource specialist with the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade.
The Army reports56 homicide offenders and 72 homicide offenses in fiscal year 2017, of which 21 were charged as murder. In 2018, there were 58 homicide offenders, and 17 were charged with murder.
In the same report, data show that 5% of active-duty soldiers commit a crime. Violent felonies make up 4% of all cases.
To provide information about Mitchell's death, contact the SAPD Homicide Department.
With additional reporting by Carson Frame
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