CLEVELAND — The remains of a United States Navy sailor will return home to Northeast Ohio Tuesday afternoon after being discovered while on assignment in Japan last month.
According to a report from The Navy Times, Machinist Mate Fireman Brandon Forbes of Maple Heights was on his first assignment with the Navy when he went missing for several days in late November. An official confirmed to The Navy Times that Forbes' body was later found on the Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, a Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan.
A representative from the USO of Cleveland tells 3News that the 20-year-old sailor's remains will arrive at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport around 3:30 p.m.
At this time, a cause of death is unknown but officials say that foul play is not suspected, according to Lt. Cmdr. Dawn Stankus, a spokesperson for the carrier who talked with The Navy Times.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Machinist’s Mate Fireman Brandon Forbes,” said Capt. Fred Goldhammer, the Reagan’s commanding officer, in a statement. “He was an energetic young man who was dedicated to his duties and his shipmates onboard Ronald Reagan. The circumstances surrounding this unfortunate loss of life remain under investigation at this time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brandon’s family as we all grapple with this tragedy.”
This is a developing story. Check back with 3News for updates as they become available.
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