A 24-year-old Parris Island drill instructor was found dead in a Starke, Florida, hotel room over the weekend, base officials confirmed Monday. Sgt. Albert Haynes II had traveled to the Jacksonville area on temporary duty for a poolee training event when he was discovered, and Bradford County authorities have launched an investigation. The Marine Corps says it is working with local law enforcement, and no cause of death has been released.
Investigation Underway
The Bradford County Sheriff's Office is leading the inquiry, according to WJCL, and Parris Island officials have confirmed the service is cooperating with local investigators, per FOX Carolina. Authorities have not publicly identified the hotel or shared additional circumstances surrounding Haynes' death while the case remains open. Bradford County investigators did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
On Temporary Assignment in Jacksonville
Parris Island officials said Haynes was on Temporary Additional Duty in connection with a poolee function run by Recruiting Station Jacksonville, a pre-recruit training session meant to prepare future Marines, according to The Island Packet. Starke sits just south of the Jacksonville area, where Marine recruiting events routinely bring personnel to local hotels and training venues. Haynes was identified as a drill instructor assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island.
Service Record and Honors
Haynes, a native of Austin, Pennsylvania, previously served as a field artillery cannoneer before transitioning to duty as a drill instructor and completing Drill Instructor School at Parris Island, according to WTOC. His decorations included two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and several service ribbons, the outlet reported. Parris Island has not yet released information on memorial services or other next steps for Haynes' unit.
