The Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN–A Canadian soldier was found dead in the sleeping area of a Middle Eastern military base in an incident described as a noncombat casualty.
The military offered few details, and said they are investigating the death of Cpl. Brendan Anthony Downey, a military police officer based in Dundurn, Sask., whose body was discovered Friday.
The military would only say he was posted at a Canadian base in the Arabian desert providing support to troops in Afghanistan.
Downey will receive a military tribute and his name will go on Kandahar Airfield's memorial for 85 other soldiers and one diplomat who have died during the mission.
"It's tragic," said Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk. "We grieve for the family of Cpl. Downey. Any loss in our operations is difficult for us."
His death is the 11th noncombat fatality. Others have included fatal stumbles, suicide, accidental shooting, and traffic accidents.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/455123
