Autopsy: Pregnant soldier victim of homicide

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Authorities say a second autopsy of a pregnant Fort Bragg soldier found dead in a local motel confirms her death was a homicide.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command said Friday that Army Spc. Megan Touma, 23, of Cold Spring, Ky., was a homicide victim. The cause of her death hasn't been released. The autopsy was conducted by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Touma was found dead in a bathtub in a Fayetteville motel room June 21. Her body was found after a maintenance supervisor smelled a foul odor.

A Fort Bragg soldier is a person of interest in the case, but authorities have not charged anyone in the case.

Touma, who was seven months pregnant, joined the Army in 2003 and was recently from the U.S. Army Dental Clinic in Bamberg, Germany.

She was assigned to the 19th Replacement Company at Fort Bragg.

Police are investigating a letter sent to the Fayetteville Observer purported to be from a person claiming responsibility for her death. Authorities have said they think the letter was written to mislead investigators and the media.

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Tarheelblue, you are correct. The incident occurred outside the base, so it is the Fayeteville PD's jurisdiction. The Army decided to assist FPD with the investigation, providing the second autopsy to corroborate the first, and to help them with the case. FPD is the primary agency in the incident, with the CID assisting them.

chfdcpt
July 11, 2008 4:53 p.m.

from what i understand they did 2 b.c. she was a soldier. so the fayetville police were investigating b.c. it was on their turf, but as being enlisted, the military has their own investigation.....i could be wrong but thats just my understanding

tarheelblue919
July 11, 2008 1:32 p.m.

THe NC Medical Examiner did one, and then she went to a Military Pathologist for the second since she is military. They have a much better and more advance facility at Bethesda. I don't think that they would find anything that Dr. Butts missed, but they will have a much better presentation for the jury, and all the lab analysis much faster. Many will be done the same day, not 6-8 weeks later like NC.

As far as the headline.... No fecal matter Sherlock, now for the next clue...

anonemoose
July 11, 2008 1:29 p.m.

The Army might have done one then her family had a second one performed.

newfamily2001
July 11, 2008 1:18 p.m.

No surprise about that. I think we all knew this lady was killed.