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Dad Says Military Masked Rape-Murder as Suicide

Questions raised about dead soldiers who may have been sexually abused

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 8, 2009 10:40 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A California father is accusing the US military of covering up the rape and murder of his soldier daughter who authorities say committed suicide, reports the Los Angeles Times. Army Pfc. LaVena Johnson, found dead of a rifle blast in her mouth in an Iraq contractor's tent without a suicide note or significant gun residue on her hands, may be one of a number of dead military women who were victims of sexual assaults, according to families.

Retired Army Col. Ann Wright, a former US diplomat, accuses the military of withholding evidence indicating sex assaults and other attacks. Johnson's father says signs of a beating, blood splatters outside the tent, and a caustic substance poured on his daughter's genitalia are all signs that she didn't kill herself. A military spokesman said the Johnson investigation was "thorough and complete." Two husbands and a boyfriend have been charged with murdering three female soldiers in the US within the last year.

Army Pfc. LaVena Lynn Johnson, who the Army said committed suicide in 2005, though her father believes she was raped and murdered while serving in Iraq.
Army Pfc. LaVena Lynn Johnson, who the Army said committed suicide in 2005, though her father believes she was raped and murdered while serving in Iraq.   (AP Photo/Family Photo)
John Johnson speaks about the death of his daughter, Army Pfc. LaVena Lynn Johnson, who was found dead in 2005 in a contractor's tent in Balad, Iraq. Army investigators ruled it a suicide.
John Johnson speaks about the death of his daughter, Army Pfc. LaVena Lynn Johnson, who was found dead in 2005 in a contractor's tent in Balad, Iraq. Army investigators ruled it a suicide.   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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What the military is doing is egregious. In many cases, they have the information the families want but refuse to release it. These families are really fighting upstream. - Former US diplomat Retired
Col. Ann Wright

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Guest
Mar 30, 2009 3:32 AM CDT
HEH.
Guest
Mar 9, 2009 1:17 AM CDT
A military cover-up? No freaking way.
Guest
Mar 9, 2009 12:28 AM CDT
We're used to rape and murder and heterosexual men are powerful. Homesexuals, not so much.

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