Fort Hood soldier who recently returned from West Africa found dead outside apartment

Screen capture of video from KWTX shows a hazmat team at the scene where a Fort Hood soldier was found dead outside his apartment. Screen capture of video from KWTX shows a hazmat team at the scene where a Fort Hood soldier was found dead outside his apartment. Photo: Courtesy Of KWTX Photo: Courtesy Of KWTX Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Fort Hood soldier who recently returned from West Africa found dead outside apartment 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

A Fort Hood soldier who had just returned from West Africa was found dead Tuesday outside his off-post residence.

It isn't clear how the 24-year-old GI, who was not identified by name, had died but there were no outward signs that he took his own life or was a victim of violence, said Killeen police spokeswoman Carroll Smith.

Military medical officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the first tests for the virus were negative. A more comprehensive examination later ruled out Ebola.

The soldier was among a group of 87 soldiers from the Central Texas post who returned to Texas on Jan. 7 after spending time in West Africa on a mission to help contain the Ebola virus. The troops are in isolation at North Fort Hood, but this soldier was allowed to visit with family under an emergency leave exception, said Tyler Broadway, a Fort Hood spokesman.

“He was allowed to leave, but he had to self-monitor himself and send those results in twice a day," said Broadway, who added that the soldier was given emergency leave shortly after the troops returned to Fort Hood.

Carrie Williams, director of media relations with the Texas Department of State Health Services, said the agency was aware of the soldier's death, and added that no one from her organization had gone to Killeen.

"We were notified of the situation because he was being monitored as a returning traveler from Liberia, but we have no indication his death was related to Ebola," she said.

Army spokesman Don Peters said no soldier has contracted the Ebola virus.

"At this point in time there is no indication the Ebola virus was involved here, but we are conducting medical tests to ensure there is no threat to the community," he said. "So it would be way premature right now to start speculating on what may be until those medical tests are done.”

The soldier was among a group of Army engineers sent to West Africa last fall to help set up 17 field hospitals, some in remote areas, and mobile living quarters for medical workers, to help contain the Ebola virus.

About 500 Fort Hood soldiers were part of that force, with an equal number of troops from Fort Bliss who were airlifting equipment for the humanitarian mission.

KCENTV, an NBC affiliate in Killeen, reported the soldier was found at an apartment in the 3300 block of Cantebrian Drive, which is about 3 miles from Fort Hood.

A Killeen Police Department hazmat team was on the scene.

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