Military Investigating Two Marines, Navy Sailor in Death of U.S. Contractor in Iraq: Report

The military has launched an investigation after a U.S. contractor stationed in Irbil, Iraq, suffered fatal head wounds after an altercation on New Year’s Eve, Defense Department officials told NBC News Monday. The Lockheed Martin employee, who working with special operations Marines, died at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany on Jan. 4, days after being found in his barracks room with severe head trauma. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) confirmed to NBC News that two Marine Raiders and one U.S. Navy Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman are being investigated as part of the probe.

A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin acknowledged the death of its employee and the investigation. “Lockheed Martin was saddened to learn of the loss of one of our employees, who was fatally injured while supporting Special Operations Forces within the Operation Inherent Resolve area of operations in a non-combat related incident,” a company spokesperson said. “We are supporting the Naval Criminal Investigation Service as they conduct an investigation into the circumstances of his death. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and we are committed to supporting them during this difficult time.”