U.S. Sailor Found Dead At Japanese Train Station
A U.S. sailor was found dead at a train station in Japan.
A worker at Haiki station in Sasebo city found Samuel Lewis Stiles on the ground at the railway platform.
The 25-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class was found around 5 a.m. Sunday, according to Japanese authorities.
The service member reportedly climbed onto the top of a train and was electrocuted by an overhead power line and fell onto his head. His body was found with his forehead bleeding and burnt marks on his jacket. The exact cause of death is being investigated but there have been no signs of violence reported.
It's unclear at what time Stiles arrived at the station as it was checked before it closed Saturday night.
The railway worker found Stiles' body near around half a dozen empty cans of Japanese cocktails. A spokesperson for the Sasebo police said blood tests will be done to see if there are traces of alcohol in Stiles' system.
Stiles was stationed out of the Sasebo Naval Base but lived off base.
There was no identification on his body and authorities questioned the nearby naval base. According to officials from Commander Naval Forces Japan, Stiles identity was not going to be confirmed to the public until his family was made aware.
U.S. service members stationed in Japan observe a curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. that was imposed in response to the alleged assault and rape of a woman in Okinawa by two sailors.
The deceased service member was stationed on shore duty and may have broken his curfew, but the U.S. Navy has declined to comment on the issue.
Jon Nylander, a spokesperson for Commander Naval Forces Japan, commented, "There will be an investigation obviously."
