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Tuesday April 01, 2025
(PABRAD?, Lithuania) -- The fourth U.S. Army soldier who went missing during a scheduled training exercise near Pabrad?, Lithuania, last week was found dead on Tuesday, according to the Army.
"The Soldier was found after a search by hundreds of rescue workers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and many other elements of the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies," the Army said in a statement.
The bodies of the other three soldiers were recovered on Monday. They've been identified as Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois; Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam.
The identity of the soldier found on Tuesday has not yet been released.
"This past week has been devastating," Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said in a statement. "Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them."
The soldiers, who are all based on Fort Stewart, Georgia, went missing on March 25 while operating an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, the Army said, and the next day, their 63-ton vehicle was found submerged in about 15 feet of water and mud in a training area.
"Most likely, the M88 drove into the swamp," and the vehicle "may have just gone diagonally to the bottom," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene told ABC News via phone last week.
The soldiers' vehicle was removed from a swamp early Monday morning after six days of work to retrieve it, the Army said.
The search effort -- which included law enforcement and military personnel from several countries -- was complicated by the muddy conditions and unstable ground, officials said.
"It has been truly amazing and very humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries and continents come together and give everything to recover our Soldiers," Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general, V Corps, said in a statement Tuesday. "Thank you, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the U.S. Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are forever grateful."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at Tuesday's briefing, "The president, the secretary of defense and the entire White House are praying for the victims, friends and family during this unimaginable time. This is another stark reminder of the selfless sacrifice of our brave military men and women who risk their lives around the world every day to keep us safe. God bless them."
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(NEW YORK) -- Attorney General Pam Bondi is directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione if he is convicted of the December murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, she announced in a statement Tuesday.
One of the federal charges against Mangione, murder through use of a firearm, makes him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
"Mangioneās murder of Brian Thompson -- an innocent man and father of two young children -- was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America," Bondi said in a statement. "After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trumpās agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again."
Mangioneās attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, called the decision to seek the death penalty "political," and said it "goes against the recommendation of the local federal prosecutors, the law, and historical precedent."
"While claiming to protect against murder, the federal government moves to commit the pre-meditated, state-sponsored murder of Luigi," she said in a statement. "By doing this, they are defending the broken, immoral, and murderous healthcare industry that continues to terrorize the American people."
"We are prepared to fight these federal charges, brought by a lawless Justice Department, as well as the New York State charges, and the Pennsylvania charges, and anything else they want to pile on Luigi," Agnifilo continued. "This is a corrupt web of government dysfunction and one-upmanship. Luigi is caught in a high-stakes game of tug-of-war between state and federal prosecutors, except the trophy is a young manās life."
The federal judge in the case already appointed a death penalty expert to the defense team in February.
Mangione is accused of gunning down Thompson outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan as the CEO headed to an investors conference on Dec. 4. He was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after the murder.
The federal charges against Mangione were filed in December, during the Biden administration.
"As alleged, Mangione planned his attack for months and stalked his victim for days before murdering him -- methodically planning when, where, and how to carry out his crime," then-Attorney General Merrick Garland said at the time.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges.
He hasnāt entered a plea to federal charges. He is due back in federal court on April 18.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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(MANUEL ANTONIO, COSTA RICA) -- High levels of carbon monoxide were detected in 14-year-old Miller Gardner's hotel room, Costa Rican police revealed more than one week after the son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner mysteriously died on a family vacation.
The carbon monoxide was discovered while conducting tests last week in Miller Gardner's room at the exclusive Arenas Del Mar resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rican police said Monday.
Miller Gardner's cause of death is not known and investigators are still waiting for final toxicology results.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss," a spokesperson for the Arenas Del Mar resort said in a statement. "We trust that the forensic process will objectively, clearly, and conclusively clarify the causes of this unfortunate incident."
"Out of respect for the ongoing judicial process and the family's privacy, we will refrain from commenting on any unconfirmed hypotheses or possible causes," the spokesperson continued.
Miller Gardner died in his sleep on the morning of March 21, according to the family.
The night before, the Gardners went out to dinner at a restaurant close to the resort, and they felt sick when they returned to the hotel, according to a Costa Rican source close to the investigation.
A hotel spokesperson said the staff "dispatched a medical team immediately, including a licensed doctor, which arrived to handle the emergency situation."
"Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile," the Gardners said. "We are so thankful to all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time and we are confident our faith, family, and friends will help us navigate this unimaginable loss."
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(DALLAS) -- "Numerous" homemade explosive devices were discovered by a citizen who was walking near a park outside of Dallas, according to authorities.
The person was in a wooded area near Wynne Park in Garland, when, around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, they saw an open suitcase and items scattered near it -- including what looked like explosives, the Garland Police Department said.
Garland is about 20 miles northeast of Dallas.
The Garland Police Bomb Unit and FBI bomb technicians rushed to the scene and determined "there were numerous live homemade explosive devices," police said.
"Bomb technicians worked through the day and into the night to safely render each device inoperative," police said in a statement Monday.
No injuries were reported.
Police said authorities are still working to establish where the devices came from and the suspect's intent.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Garland Police Department at 972-485-4840 or Garland Crime Stoppers at 972-272-TIPS (8477). Garland Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $5,000, police said.
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(PABRAD?, Lithuania) -- Three of the four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing during a training mission near Pabrad?, Lithuania, last week were found dead on Monday, but the search is ongoing for the fourth soldier, the Army said.
Their identities were not released.
The M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle the soldiers were in when they went missing was removed from a swamp early Monday morning after six days of work to retrieve it, the Army said.
The soldiers, who are all based in Fort Stewart, Georgia, went missing on Tuesday during a training exercise, the Army said.
On Wednesday, their 63-ton-vehicle was found submerged in about 15 feet of water and "clay-like mud" in a training area, the Army said.
"Most likely, the M88 drove into the swamp," and the vehicle "may have just gone diagonally to the bottom," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene told ABC News via phone last week.
The multiday search effort was complicated by the swamp's muddy conditions, officials said.
The Army said last week it brought in assets including "a large capacity slurry pump, cranes, more than 30 tons of gravel, and subject matter experts."
"The Polish Armed Forces have also volunteered a unit of military engineers, which is bringing in an additional water pump, tracked recovery vehicles, other additional equipment and supplies needed along with 150 personnel," the Army said.
On Saturday, a U.S. Navy dive team arrived at the site, joining Lithuanian divers, the Army said.
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(WASHINGTON) -- The search for four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing in their vehicle during a scheduled training exercise near Pabrad?, Lithuania, is ongoing Friday, with officials bringing in more assets to help with the recovery mission, the Army said.
The soldiers, who are all based in Fort Stewart, Georgia, went missing on Tuesday while operating a M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, the Army said. On Wednesday, the 70-ton vehicle was found submerged in about 15 feet of water and mud in a training area, the Army said.
"Most likely, the M88 drove into the swamp," and the vehicle "may have just gone diagonally to the bottom," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene told ABC News via phone.
Sakaliene said Thursday that the search has shifted from rescue to a "complicated" recovery mission.
The Army said crews are "working around the clock to drain water, dig, and dredge the mud that surrounds the vehicle."
"The area around the site is incredibly wet and marshy and doesnāt support the weight of the equipment needed for the recovery of the 70-ton vehicle without significant engineering improvements," the Army said in a statement Friday. "Draining the area has been slow and difficult due to ground water seepage."
"A large capacity slurry pump, cranes, more than 30 tons of gravel, and subject matter experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are just some of the assets that arrived on site,ā the Army said. "The Polish Armed Forces have also volunteered a unit of military engineers, which is bringing in an additional water pump, tracked recovery vehicles, other additional equipment and supplies needed along with 150 personnel."
A specialized U.S. Navy dive crew is also expected to arrive on site by Saturday, the Army said.
"This will be a long and difficult recovery operation, but we are absolutely committed to bringing our soldiers home," Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor said in a statement.
Sakaliene said Thursday the Lithuanians will also remain dedicated to the recovery.
"Working with American soldiers has always been close to our hearts," she said. "They are not just allies -- they are family to us."
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