The three U.S. Marines found dead in a car died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Pender County Sheriff's Office.
The members of the Marine Corps were found Sunday morning in a car at a Speedway gas station on U.S. Highway 17. The gas station was about 30 miles from Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base on the North Carolina coast.
The sheriff's office said autopsies were done on the three men Wednesday and showed they all died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Marine Corps identified the three as Lance Cpl. Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, from Madison, Wisconsin, Lance Cpl. Merax C. Dockery, 23, from Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, and Lance Cpl. Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples, Florida.
“I am saddened by the timeless and tragic death of these three young men, who served our country honorably. Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and colleagues during this time,” Sheriff Alan Cutler said in a news release Wednesday.
The sheriff's office said one of the Marine's mothers called Sunday morning and said her son had not arrived home on a flight to Oklahoma as planned. The mother said someone from her son's unit was on his way to the gas station to see if they could find her son.
At about 9 a.m., the sheriff's office said they got another call saying someone had found the missing Marines in the car.
The sheriff's office said they did not find any drugs in the car.
The three were all motor vehicle operators with a combat logistics battalion based at Camp Lejuene, a Marine Corps representative told the Association Press.
“My deepest sympathy and condolences are extended to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lance Cpl. Kaltenberg, Lance Cpl. Dockery and Lance Cpl. Garcia,” said Brig. Gen. Michael McWilliams, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, according to the AP.
“Our focus is providing the necessary resources and support to those impacted by their tragic loss as they navigate this extremely difficult time,” he said.