The death of Christopher Hutchings, a Marine from California, who was discovered dead in his barracks earlier this month, is now being probed by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, with support from the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS). Hutchings’ death is being investigated due to suspicious circumstances, according to KKTV in Colorado Springs.
Major Mason Englehart, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Director of Media Strategy and Operations, reported that PFC Christopher Hutchings died in his barracks on February 5. The young Marine entered the Corps in 2022 and was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.
The reason of death has not been published and is still being investigated. Major Mason Englehart highlighted that they take all deaths seriously and express their heartfelt sympathies to everyone affected. On Thursday, Hutchings’ remains was returned to his hometown in Colorado, where community members lined the streets and waved flags in his honor.
His funeral is set for Feb. 26, and the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office has encouraged folks to line the roadways, waving either the US Flag or the US Marine Corps Flag, to help memorialize this young Warrior. Hutchings’ hometown police department, the Buena Vista Police Department, shared a video of the Marine being led home and extended their sympathies to his family and friends.
