By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Roberto Reyna
Though military authorities have shed more light on the case of Staff Sgt. Roberto Reyna’s death, the circumstances surrounding his passing remain largely unknown.
Christopher Grey, Chief of Public Affairs and Media for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command in Quantico, VA, said on Friday that Reyna may have been fishing but did not specify whether investigators believe such activity took place in the vicinity of where the decorated soldier’s body was recovered.
“We’re not releasing any details (other than) the Staff Sgt. was out fishing,” Grey said. “We’re steadily investigating.”
Regarding the nature of the probe, Grey said that all deaths are investigated as homicides as per procedure. “I’m not saying this is a homicide by any means,” Grey added. “It is an ongoing investigation. At this point we’re not suspecting foul play, but we’re not ruling it out in order to complete a thorough investigation.”
Reyna’s body was pulled from the Chattahoochee River in Alabama at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17. The area of recovery is near River Bend Park in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. Reyna, 35, of San Benito had been stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia since October 2001 as a Calvary Scout assigned to the 194th Armored Brigade.
As previously reported by the San Benito News via sbnewspaper.com on Tuesday, Reyna’s brigade, which conducts initial entry training for new soldiers and Marines, planned to conduct a private memorial service for members of Reyna’s unit on Thursday.
Reyna, who could not be confirmed as a San Benito High School graduate as of presstime Friday, has been recognized for his service with seven Army Commendation Medals, 10 Army Achievement Medals, an Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, five Army Good Conduct Medals, an Air Force Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, four Iraq Campaign Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, an Army Service Ribbon, five Overseas Service Ribbons, a Combat Action Badge and an Air Assault Badge.
Read this story in the March 24 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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