Foul Play Suspected as Another Missing Fort Drum Soldier Found Dead

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Dec 21, 2020 02:31 AM EST

Foul play was suspected after a missing 20-year-old Fort Drum soldier was found dead days after he was reported missing.

Fort Drum officials said that the body of Corporal Hayden Harris was found about 80 miles north of Syracuse, New York, which is 80 miles from the base. It was found sometime between Thursday and Friday, according to New York Daily News.

Cpl. Hayden Harris, 20, was found shot to death off Ross Road in Sussex County, as reported by New York Post.

A fellow Army Soldier was suspected in his killing and was taken into custody, according to Sussex County Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller.

Brigadier Gen. Brett Funck, acting senior commander for Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division confirmed Harris' death in a statement and said that they are devastated.

"It was well known here that Cpl. Harris was a great Soldier, and as we share our grief with his friends and family. His death is a tremendous loss for his loved ones, this division and our nation," Funck was quoted on a report.

Army officials said that it was not immediately clear where Harris was found and that an investigation is still being done.

Foul Play Suspected as Another Missing Fort Drum Soldier Found Dead

(Photo : New York Times)

A police department in Selmer, Tennessee was reported to also announced the death. Selmer police posted on its Facebook page reporting that Harris has been found dead.

The Selmer police's post further said that they are offering their thoughts and prayers with Harris' family and friends, according to a Syracuse report. Harris was promoted from a specialist to corporal after his death.

Victim remembered as 'wonderful person'

Harris was last heard from between 8 p.m. Thursday and 6:30 a.m. Friday based on Fort Drum's public affairs office record.

The Army said on its statement that Harris was headed to Watertown for a certain vehicle transacation and has not been seen ever since. They then asked help from the public and other police agencies in several states. Harris' photo was quickly spread this weekend on social media.

Funck said that Harris was a great soldier, adding that he was a wonderful and caring person. In addition that, he also claimed that Harris' death was huge loss for his loved one, the division, and the nation.

Harris' awards and decorations include two Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

He then graduated Air Assault School in 2019. Harris is known to be survived by his mother, father, and sister.

Army deaths

Meanwhile, Congress was set to do an investigation into sexual assault, disappearances, deaths, and leadership response at Fort Hood, according to a The Guardian report in September.

A total of 28 soldiers stationed at the U.S. army base in Texas have died this year.

The members of Congress mentioned the deaths of Spc. Vanessa Guillen and Pvt. Gregory Morales in light of the said investigation. Guillen was reportedly bludgeoned to death at the Texas base in April by a fellow soldier.

Morales' remains were found in June during the search for Guillen. He was reported missing in August 2019.