UPDATE: CBS News is reporting that unnamed defense officials are calling the death of Vice Admiral Scott Stearney an ‘apparent suicide.’
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Navy admiral overseeing American naval forces in the Middle East has been found dead at his residence in Bahrain, the Navy said on Nov. 1, adding that foul play was not suspected.
Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, a Chicago native, was the commander of the U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. The Navy did not specify the cause of death.
Team, it's my sad duty to inform you that today the Secretary of the Navy and I were informed that Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, our commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and commander of U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, was found deceased in his residence in Bahrain today. pic.twitter.com/FN8DAlWUng
— Adm. John Richardson (@CNORichardson) December 1, 2018
“The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected,” said Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, adding that Stearney’s deputy, Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, had assumed command.
By Phil Stewart
