The U.S. military on Sunday confirmed the death of a 20-year-old soldier who went missing from Fort Drum in New York state last week and noted that he is suspected of foul play.
The US Army Criminal Investigation Command said Sunday in a statement that Cpl. Hayden Allen Harris was found dead after being last heard between 8 a.m. Thursday and Friday at 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. The statement said police officers suspected foul play, but gave no additional details.
The New York Times reported that Harris’ body was found in a remote area of northern New Jersey and that local authorities said a fellow soldier had been arrested in connection with his death.
Officials said Harris was with someone in Watertown, New York, “for some sort of vehicle transaction” and noted that the 2016 Ford Mustang Coupe he was driving was reportedly found.
“We are working very closely with various law enforcement agencies, to include the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bryam County Police Department in this investigation,” Chris said. Gray, spokesman for the CID Army. “We are very grateful for your work in this ongoing case.”
Harris, who was posthumously promoted to corporal, was from Guys, Tennessee, and joined the Army in March 2019. He trained at Fort Benning in Georgia, before heading to Fort Drum in July. of 2019.
Brig. Said General Brett Funck, acting commander-in-chief of the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum in a statement Sunday, “We’re devastated.”
“It was known here that Corporal Harris was a great soldier, and as we share our grief with his friends and family, I feel again and again how he was also, and most importantly, a truly wonderful and affectionate person.” said Funck. . “His death is a tremendous loss to his loved ones, this division and our nation.”
Harris had received two Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the World War II Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. Posthumously he was awarded the Army Medal of Recommendation.