ADVERT 
ADVERTA U.S. Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force has been found dead inside a vehicle in northern Okinawa, Japanese police and the U.S. Marine Corps have confirmed.
The Marine was discovered Friday afternoon in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked at a medical facility in Nago’s Gusuku district, according to the Okinawa Prefectural Police.
Police said the Marine had suffered a head wound and was holding an object resembling a small handgun when officers arrived. Authorities declined to provide further details about the object as investigations continue.
A person associated with the medical facility alerted police at about 3:11 p.m., reporting that a man was bleeding from his head inside a car. Emergency personnel subsequently confirmed the Marine dead at the scene at 4:17 p.m.
Police said no other injuries had been confirmed.
ADVERTThe Marine was reportedly not wearing a uniform at the time. The vehicle’s doors were locked, although its rear hatch was unlocked, while the engine was switched off.
Authorities also said the vehicle did not carry a Japanese Y license plate, which is commonly associated with vehicles registered in Japan to personnel covered by the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement.
The Marine Corps has withheld the deceased Marine’s identity pending notification of next of kin.
“We can confirm a U.S. Marine assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force was found deceased in Nago City,” III MEF spokesman 1st Lt. Tyler Thomas said.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the Marine’s family, friends, and colleagues,” Thomas added.
Investigation Underway
The circumstances surrounding the Marine’s death remain unclear, with Japanese and U.S. authorities working together to establish what happened.
Thomas said the Marine Corps was cooperating with Japanese authorities but declined to release additional information, citing privacy concerns and the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Police have likewise refrained from characterizing the death while investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the head wound and the object found in the Marine’s possession.
The discovery comes as U.S. military personnel and their presence on Okinawa remain closely watched by Japanese authorities and local communities, making incidents involving American service members particularly sensitive.
For now, officials have provided no indication of whether the Marine’s death was accidental, self-inflicted or the result of criminal activity.
The investigation continues, while the Marine Corps awaits notification of the service member’s family before releasing his identity.
Source: Stars and Stripes
