FORT LEWIS — A 16-year-old girl remained in stable condition today at Madigan Army Medical Center as the military investigated the death of another 16-year-old girl at a Fort Lewis barracks.
The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division has questioned a soldier acquainted with the girls, but Fort Lewis spokesman Joe Piek said there was no immediate explanation for what they were doing in the barracks at 3:30 a.m. Sunday when emergency responders answered a 911 call.
One girl was declared dead at the scene and another was found unconscious. Piek said there was no outward sign of physical trauma on either girl.
The girls have not been identified. Both are from the south Puget Sound area and not military dependents.
Piek said Army doctors at Madigan were performing an autopsy on the dead girl but results might not be available for at least a week.
Piek said the base is reviewing procedures for civilian visitors. Minors are allowed on the Army base if sponsored by a Defense Department identification holder, but Piek said the Army wants to know what the girls were doing in the barracks and whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
The Army initially issued a statement about the girls Monday about 36 hours after the incident. Piek said it took the Army until then because it took place during a holiday weekend and gathering information took time.
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