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Autopsies: Soldiers deployed to Arizona-Mexico border died by suicide

Secretary Mattis approves extension of troop deployment on Mexico border
Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Asia J. Sorenson
<p>U.S. Marines with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 7, carry concertina wire to their worksite near the California-Mexico border at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in California, Nov. 20, 2018. U.S. Northern Command is providing military support to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to secure the Southern border of the United States. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Asia J. Sorenson)</p>
Secretary Mattis approves extension of troop deployment on Mexico border
Posted at 4:48 PM, Jun 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-27 19:50:46-04

TUCSON, AZ — A medical examiner says two soldiers helping secure the Mexico border in Arizona died by suicide.

Pima County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Greg Hess said Thursday the soldiers died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Officials say 20-year-old Pfc. Steven Hodges of Menifee, California, died June 1 near Nogales, and 21-year-old Pfc. Kevin Christian of Haslet, Texas, died Sunday in Ajo, about 200 miles from Nogales.

Both soldiers were assigned to the Southwest Border Support Mission.

RELATED: Pentagon announces 'several thousand' more troops to be deployed to southwest border

Military officials say the circumstances of the deaths are under investigation.

About 2,400 service members are assigned to the border mission.

Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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