Reported by: Bill Price
Photographed by: Ron Fischer
Web produced by: Neil Relyea
There are still many more questions than answers about the death of a pregnant soldier from Cold Spring.
Twenty-three-year-old Army Specialist Megan Touma, who grew up in the Tri-state as Megan Heine, was found in a Fayetteville, North Carolina motel room Saturday, not far from her new assignment at Fort Bragg.
The Fayetteville Police Department is investigating the soldier's death.
But, without giving a reason, the department suddenly canceled a Wednesday afternoon news conference, saying it would have nothing more to say – at least on Wednesday.
Today, 9News obtained pictures of how Megan Heine, now Army Specialist Megan Touma, looked in her high school year book at Campbell County High School in 2003.
Her body was found in the motel room after reports of a strong odor coming from Room 143.
On Wednesday a Fort Bragg spokesperson says Specialist Touma hadn't been seen by other Army personnel for more than a week.
Major Angela Funaro told reporters, "She was last seen in the post in processing at Fort Bragg. That meant she was [last seen] on the 13th of June."
Major Funaro says it isn't unusual for new Fort Bragg soldiers to stay off the base for up to two-weeks as they are processed.
Touma was an Army dental specialist coming to Fort Bragg from Bramberg, Germany.
Within two-months of graduating from Campbell County High School, Touma had left her Cold Spring home for the Army.
Her former principal at the school wasn't surprised.
Campbell County Superintendent Anthony Strong tells 9News, "Whenever recruiters were on campus, she was always there talking to them about their programs and what they had to offer."
The superintendent described Touma as a personable, friendly, helpful young lady who never got into trouble.
Strong adds, "Anytime you deal with a loss of a schoolmate or a staff member, it's traumatic because it brings back memories of their classes and what has happened. It's just a sad time."
Back at Fort Bragg, Major Funaro added, "We are saddened by this tragic death and the death of her unborn baby – and we are fully committed to working with the Fayetteville Police Department, so they can conduct a thorough and complete investigation."
The Fort Bragg spokeswoman did confirm that Specialist Touma did divorce last year and was now considered single.
Fayetteville police still regard the young soldier's death as suspicious, although autopsy results have not been released.
A memorial service at Fort Bragg for Touma, who was seven-months pregnant, has been scheduled for Friday.
