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Soldier charged in teenagers death at Fort Lewis

A 19-year-old Private has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of 16-year-old Leah King, who overdosed inside the barracks at Fort Lewis last month.

The Private, Timothy E. Bennitt is also being charged with wrongful use and distribution of controlled substances.  Bennitt is suspected by the Army of dealing drugs on post.

An Army autopsy performed on King (pictured at right) found that she had died after crushing and snorting Xanax and Oxymorphone.  The drugs were apparently supplied by Bennitt.

Still a few questions to examine in this one.  We still don't know how King was able to get on base as a minor in the company of unrelated adult males.  And there's still the other question of how many soldiers were involved in this case.  Remember, King and another girl were found unresponsive and alone in the barracks.  I think someone else besides Bennitt knows what happened.

No word on a court date for Bennitt.

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, Seattle Crime Examiner

Mike Baldwin is a Seattle-based writer who covers local crime at Seattle Crime Blog (www.seattlecrimeblog.com). He can be reached at seattlecrime@gmail.com.

Comments

  • Big_Shep 3 years ago

    This is unfortunate but it happens all the time. Drugs are destroying our youth. I used to party hard myself and by Gods grace made it out without a severe addiction or an overdose. This soldier is still a kid hisself, I agree with the contibuting charge, these girls obviously like to party if they are snorting at this age. Its just a bad situation, I feel bad for all involved.

  • DriaaBoo 1 year ago

    except you dont know Leah at all? She wasnt like that so dont asume what you dont know.

  • peach 2 years ago

    Is a bad situation but really manslaughter is not his foult he didnot put a knife on her neck no one is to blame why who ever was in charge wasnot payin atention and now they want to blame the poor teenagers oh! and to that whoa pearson you are nasty no respect u a.h.

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