Army News, news from Iraq, - Army Times

Autopsy done on Carson GI who died at Irwin

Authorities have completed the autopsy on a Fort Carson, Colo., soldier who was found unconscious in her sleeping bag while at Fort Irwin, Calif., for training.

The cause of death of Spc. Emily Ort, 24, is pending, Sandy Fatland, public information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, told Army Times Wednesday.

The doctor is reviewing more medical records, and officials also are waiting for toxicology results, Fatland said. Toxicology results typically take at least four to six weeks.

Ort was found unconscious in her sleeping bag on Saturday morning, said John Wagstaffe, a Fort Irwin spokesman. She was treated on the scene and taken to Weed Army Community Hospital on post, where she was pronounced dead at 8:22 a.m., he said.

At the time of her death, Ort and her fellow soldiers had been at Fort Irwin for about two weeks to train for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. The soldiers, from 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, are still at Fort Irwin’s National Training Center, Wagstaffe said. They are expected to be there until the end of next week.

A native of Willis, Texas, Ort joined the Army in 2004. She was a human intelligence collector assigned to the brigade’s Special Troops Battalion.

Ort’s remains will be flown to her hometown Friday, and the viewing and funeral are scheduled for Monday, Wagstaffe said.

A statement from Ort’s family said: “Emily was a beautiful woman with a tenacious will. She recently re-enlisted in the Army in order to continue to provide a good life for her 16-month-old son. She was spontaneous and loved spending time with her family and friends. Emily was determined to succeed in everything she undertook. Emily’s loss will be deeply felt by her friends and family for years to come. She was a loving mother, sister, daughter and a wonderful aunt.”