Newly released autopsy findings have shed light on the tragic deaths of three marines who were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in a car outside a North Carolina gas station in July. The autopsies, which were performed on Camp Lejeune lance corporals Tanner Kaltenberg, Merax Dockery, and Ivan Garcia, confirmed that the cause of death was indeed carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur from car exhaust.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office had already announced months ago that the marines had died from carbon monoxide poisoning, but the new reports provide additional information on the circumstances surrounding their deaths. According to the reports obtained from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, there were no signs of suicide, foul play, or drug use.
The reports revealed that the 2000 Lexus sedan belonging to Garcia was equipped in an unsafe manner. The car had been modified in a way that caused multiple large defects in the exhaust system, and the exhaust pipes were rusted and not connected. Additionally, the car’s air conditioning was not functioning properly. It was noted that the exhaust from the vehicle would have been released under the passenger cabin rather than the rear bumper.
Car exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which can be lethal when inhaled. One of the marines had a 23% concentration of carbon monoxide in their blood, highlighting the severity of the poisoning.
The marines were discovered dead in the morning of July 23 at a convenience store parking lot in Hampstead, North Carolina. The car’s windows were tinted and the doors were unlocked, and while the ignition was turned on, the car was not running. Surveillance video from the gas station revealed that the marines parked the car and were never seen exiting the vehicle.
Authorities are still investigating the specific circumstances that led to the tragic deaths. The Pender County Sheriff’s Office has not provided further information at this time.
The loss of these young marines has brought immense grief to their families and communities. Tanner Kaltenberg, a 19-year-old from Madison, Wisconsin, Merax Dockery, a 23-year-old from Seminole, Oklahoma, and Ivan Garcia, a 23-year-old from Naples, Florida, will be remembered as brave individuals who served their country.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by carbon monoxide and the importance of maintaining safe vehicles. It is crucial for car owners to regularly inspect and repair their exhaust systems to prevent such devastating accidents from occurring in the future.
