Inquiry into slain soldier’s absence ends

Sgt. Edgar Patino, center, makes a court appearance July 30 in the courtroom of the Cumberland County Detention Center. Patino, 27, was arrested July 29 and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Spc. Megan Touma, a dental specialist who was found dead in a Fayetteville, N.C., hotel room June 21.


Inquiry into slain soldier’s absence ends
By Marlon A. Walker - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 1, 2008 5:56:40 EDT

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Army has finished its investigation into why a pregnant soldier found dead in a Fayetteville motel room wasn't reported absent after she missed roll call but cannot release the results yet, a spokesman said Thursday.

Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum said commanders are reviewing the report and no release date has been determined.

The sergeant charged in Spc. Megan L. Touma’s death was the father of her unborn baby but married to someone else, police said Wednesday.

Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine said during a news conference that Sgt. Edgar Patino, 27, admitted fathering Touma’s baby. Touma, 23, was seven months pregnant when found dead in a motel bathtub last month.

Patino, who was arrested at his home Tuesday, acknowledged being in Touma’s hotel room June 13, the last day her hotel room key was used, police said. He made his first court appearance Wednesday and asked for a public defense attorney, but one was not immediately assigned.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/07/ap_pregnantsoldier_073008w/