2 paratroopers found dead at Fort Bragg, drugs suspected

Two paratroopers stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died last week, and Army investigators are now saying drugs may have played a role in their deaths.

Spc. Joshua Diamond, 35, and Pfc. Matthew Disney, 20, both of the 82nd Airborne Division, were declared dead after being found unresponsive in their barracks room on Fort Bragg on Friday, according to CBS 17.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) is looking into the case, and said they have “credible information” that the deceased were “involved with illicit drugs.”

“At this point in the investigation we do have credible information that the soldiers were involved with illicit drugs,” said Chris Grey, spokesman for Army CID, according to CBS 17.

Col. Phillip Kiniery III, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, said the deaths of Diamond and Disney are “a tragedy.”

“Our greatest strength is our Paratroopers and these losses are a tragedy,” Kiniery said, according to CBS 17.

“We mourn the passing of Matthew and Joshua. They remain part of our Family of Falcon Brigade Paratroopers. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones and fellow Paratroopers during this difficult time,” he added.

Diamond and Disney served as field artillery firefinder radar operators, according to CBS 17, and they both joined the Army in 2019.

Diamond had been at Fort Bragg since 2019, and Disney arrived in 2020, according to the television station.

A spokesperson at the CID told The Hill that the command is not releasing any further information at this time, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Hill reached out to the U.S. Army and the 82nd Airborne Division for comment.

The passing of Diamond and Disney follows a concerning string of deaths at Fort Bragg.

According to Rolling Stone, at least 44 Fort Bragg soldiers died stateside in 2020, several of which were homicides.

The extensive Rolling Stone report, titled “The Fort Bragg Murders,” also said that whistleblowers in recent years have claimed that hard drug use is widespread among special operators.