Police: Pregnant soldier’s death a homicide

FAYETTEVILLE — Authorities in Fayetteville say they’re now treating the death of a pregnant Fort Bragg soldier as a homicide, and are working with Army investigators to solve the case.

Army Spc. Megan Touma was found June 21 at a Fayetteville motel after a maintenance supervisor smelled a foul odor coming from a room with a “Do Not Disturb” sign. The dental specialist was
seven months pregnant and had recently arrived from a base in Germany.

Fayetteville police confirmed Monday a person of interest in the case is a soldier assigned to Fort Bragg. They did not identify the person or say to which unit they are assigned.

Police said Monday the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command has joined the investigation. The Army took possession of Touma’s body last week, and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington will perform a second autopsy and perform additional tests.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)