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Immediate Release

DoD Declares DUSTWUN Soldier Deceased


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) on Aug. 25. The soldier was involved in a training incident off the coast of Yemen, where the soldier was supporting U.S. Central Command operations.
 
Staff Sgt. Emil Rivera-Lopez was declared deceased on Aug. 31 as a result of the training incident on Aug. 25. The incident remains under investigation.
 
For more information regarding Staff Sgt. Emil Rivera-Lopez, media may contact the United States Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office at 910-494-1589.
 
For more information on the investigation, media may contact the U.S. Central Command Public Affairs Office at 813-529-0220.