USAFA Cadet passes away

I'm currently at USAFA visiting for the appointee tour and they're a tight community hear from what I've observed. They briefed us a little on the situation just so wed be award and they are still conducting the investigation and trying to contact kin I believe. Its a sad time.
 
From the official USAFA FB page:
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is investigating the death of an Air Force Academy cadet who died here Thursday April 2.

The cadet was found with injuries in his dormitory room and pronounced dead at the scene at 3:43 p.m. The cause of death is not known at this time.

The next of kin have been notified. Department of Defense policy is to withhold the name of the deceased until 24 hours after notification of next of kin.

The Academy Superintendent ensured 100 Percent accountability for all cadets to secure and verify the safety of all personnel.

“The safety and well-being of our cadets and staff is my top concern. We are taking the appropriate precautionary actions to ensure the safety and security of everyone at the Academy,” said Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, Air Force Academy Superintendent.

More information will be released as it becomes available.
 
Unfortunately, it has happened before. Depite the efforts to address safety considerations in all Cadet activities, fatalities do happen from time to time. There were a few fatalities in my class before graduation. My son had at least one fatality in his class. Academy personnel work to do everything that can to address training from a safety perspective, but accidents will happen. From the few details released to date, it doesn't appear that this was training related; however, we should not jump to conclusions as to what actually happened.

Above all, this is a stressfull time for the Cadet's family.
 
Denver Post has come out with new information and the name of the cadet.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27843988/air-force-academy-cadet-death-remains-under-investigation

Academy spokesperson indicates they are "not ruling anything out". This bothers me as a parent of a cadet from the standpoint that if there was the possibility of some sort of attack, which is the implication from that comment, then does any risk still exist for other cadets. I understand in a criminal investigation the need to keep information close to the vest but if this is a criminal investigation the academy needs to state so and give parents the assurance that the risk does not still exist for the remaining cadets.
 
navy83 said:
Denver Post has come out with new information and the name of the cadet.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27843988/air-force-academy-cadet-death-remains-under-investigation

Academy spokesperson indicates they are "not ruling anything out". This bothers me as a parent of a cadet from the standpoint that if there was the possibility of some sort of attack, which is the implication from that comment, then does any risk still exist for other cadets. I understand in a criminal investigation the need to keep information close to the vest but if this is a criminal investigation the academy needs to state so and give parents the assurance that the risk does not still exist for the remaining cadets.
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The Gazette has also come out with additional information saying unnamed sources say that he was in his room alone which implies it may have been an accident.

http://gazette.com/air-force-academy-cadet-found-dead-in-dorm-idd/article/1549056

I believe we need to be careful not to jump to conclusions until the investigation is complete.
 
No one is jumping to a conclusion. I am reading a quote from a named source and looking at the implication. I didn't make the statement - its up to the Air Force to be clear in these matters.

The quote you refer to "There was no evidence anyone else was in the room when Quiros died and there is no evidence of foul play, according to sources familiar to the investigation who requested anonymity because they are not at liberty to discuss the investigation" is from an anonomous source. The article you refer to also states "The Office of Special Investigations is investigating the death, the academy said Friday. The agency is the Air Force's lead for criminal investigations."

The point still stands. If this is a criminal investigation or an accident then the academy needs to state as much. The Gazette has also reported that this was not a suicide so its very difficult to understand what kind of "accident" can happen in a cadets room that would lead to his death.
 
BlahuKahuna said:
What exactly is being sensationalized?
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I'm with you. I was on the parents FB page and other people were claiming the Gazette was doing the same thing. Huh??!! I watched and read every word the Gazette said. Nothing was out of line. The Gazette could have talked about some of the rumors that were circulating but they didn't. They took the high road.

I'm not saying there have not been other reporters at the Gazzette over the years that have tried to capitalize on readership by attempting to (somewhat) demonize USAFA. But not on this story.
 
According to The Air Force Times, the cadet had his wisdom teeth removed earlier that day at the academy clinic. Just wondering if there could have been complications from that.
 
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MN-Dad-2016 said:
I'm with you. I was on the parents FB page and other people were claiming the Gazette was doing the same thing. Huh??!! I watched and read every word the Gazette said. Nothing was out of line. The Gazette could have talked about some of the rumors that were circulating but they didn't. They took the high road.

I'm not saying there have not been other reporters at the Gazzette over the years that have tried to capitalize on readership by attempting to (somewhat) demonize USAFA. But not on this story.
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Many of the cadets are VERY upset and the rumors are running rampant -- all of which is expected. Some cadets are extremely upset with the Gazette article(s). My comment was to them knowing that there are several cadets who read this forum. Believe me when I say that I have heard some real doozies over the last few days (I personally know several cadets.)

Just trying to be a voice of reason here.
 
I think the Gazette is an easy target for the Wing right now. People are frustrated, sad, confused...I understand why they're upset, but I just don't think the Gazette did anything wrong here. These rumors would exist if the Gazette hadn't published a thing, and can you really blame the Gazette? It sounds cold, but a commercial newspaper has every right and interest to publish a story like this.

The Gazette is not a perfect, universally pro-USAFA publication. But I think it's irresponsible for people to cast them as evil, tree-hugging military haters in this particular instance (which is basically verbatim from a couple friends of mine.)
 
BlahuKahuna said:
I think the Gazette is an easy target for the Wing right now. People are frustrated, sad, confused...I understand why they're upset, but I just don't think the Gazette did anything wrong here. These rumors would exist if the Gazette hadn't published a thing, and can you really blame the Gazette? It sounds cold, but a commercial newspaper has every right and interest to publish a story like this.

The Gazette is not a perfect, universally pro-USAFA publication. But I think it's irresponsible for people to cast them as evil, tree-hugging military haters in this particular instance (which is basically verbatim from a couple friends of mine.)
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I'm not personally saying they did anything wrong. I have family who are journalists, so I get it. I'm just saying that there are a lot of cadets who are upset about it. I'm not going to say their feelings are wrong because it's theirs to own. All I said was to ignore any sensationalism -- not sure why that got anyone's feathers ruffled.
 
Zmansmom said:
According to The Air Force Times, the cadet had his wisdom teeth removed earlier that day at the academy clinic. Just wondering if there could have been complications from that.
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*Note: purely speculation on my part*

This could very well be. There may have been complications with anesthesia along with pain meds. which is why it's taking so long to make a determination.

Continued prayers for the cadets family and AF community.
 
d22 said:
*Note: purely speculation on my part*

This could very well be. There may have been complications with anesthesia along with pain meds. which is why it's taking so long to make a determination.

Continued prayers for the cadets family and AF community.
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I had a buddy who had the stitches come undone after his wisdom teeth were removed, most blood I have ever seen in my life, and I've seen alot of people do alot of very stupid things.
 
If the Academy, or his family, eventually decide to release the details surrounding his death, then so be it. But honestly, the Academy really has nothing to gain by releasing details, and his family is grieving. I understand parent's are worried about their cadet's safety, so is my mom, but does knowing all the details affect our safety? Not at all. The Academy leadership will use the information they have to make appropriate and effective decisions that will keep the Wing safe. It's our job, and our families, to support the Academy's leadership and our fallen comrade's family during a difficult time. I completely understand feeling left out of the loop, and wanting to know what actually happened, but we are not entitled to that information. If we have a legitimate reason to know one day, then they will tell us. General Williams cares deeply about the Wing, and I have absolutely zero doubt that he is always making decisions with us in mind.
 
zachtx said:
If the Academy, or his family, eventually decide to release the details surrounding his death, then so be it. But honestly, the Academy really has nothing to gain by releasing details, and his family is grieving. I understand parent's are worried about their cadet's safety, so is my mom, but does knowing all the details affect our safety? Not at all. The Academy leadership will use the information they have to make appropriate and effective decisions that will keep the Wing safe. It's our job, and our families, to support the Academy's leadership and our fallen comrade's family during a difficult time. I completely understand feeling left out of the loop, and wanting to know what actually happened, but we are not entitled to that information. If we have a legitimate reason to know one day, then they will tell us. General Williams cares deeply about the Wing, and I have absolutely zero doubt that he is always making decisions with us in mind.
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Excellent post! I have no doubt you will make a fine officer one day. :rockon:

** Not a slam on anyone else's post -- just an observation that this cadet has a good head on his/her shoulders.
Keep Calm and Stay Air Force Strong!
 
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USAFA83GradWife said:
I'm not personally saying they did anything wrong. I have family who are journalists, so I get it. I'm just saying that there are a lot of cadets who are upset about it. I'm not going to say their feelings are wrong because it's theirs to own. All I said was to ignore any sensationalism -- not sure why that got anyone's feathers ruffled.
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I just don't see that any of the news reports that I have read have sensationalized this tragedy. They seem to be straightforward reporting pieces with most of them including direct quotes from Academy officials.

I don't see that anyone's feathers are ruffled. I think some are just pointing out that reporting a story is not inherently anti-USAFA.
 
Full Metal Bulldog said:
I had a buddy who had the stitches come undone after his wisdom teeth were removed, most blood I have ever seen in my life, and I've seen alot of people do alot of very stupid things.
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That happened to my sister on a ski trip...she was very creative on what she used to pack it with to help stop the bleeding.
 
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