Chicago Soldier Found Dead While Training in Wisconsin

A Chicago soldier has been found dead at a Wisconsin site where she was training, officials said.

Aida Hernandez, 31, was found unresponsive Wednesday at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin and pronounced dead at Sparta Hospital, according to Linda Fournier with the Fort McCoy Public Affairs.

Hernandez was a staff sergeant with the 406th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Ann Arbor, Michigan and had been at Fort McCoy for training, officials said.

An autopsy was conducted but the results of the report were not being released Friday, said Medical Examiner Secretary Penny Brueggen.

Hernandez was born in Chicago and raised on the city’s North Side, her family said. She graduated from Mather High School and joined the Army in 2008.

Family members said she was on active duty in Ann Arbor for less than a year and had worked at a VA Hospital before moving to Michigan.

Hernandez’s mother, Florinda Hernandez, said the medical examiner told the family there were “no signs of physical harm” but added that a toxicology report would be conducted.

When asked if additional tests would be done by the medical examiner, Brueggen said the decision was “pending.”

Gladys Hernandez, Aida’s sister, said Aida wanted to be cremated and will be buried with military honors.

Family members said Hernandez joined the Army because she wanted to “serve our country” and said she was someone “who strived to be a better person every day.”

The family said it hopes to get more clarification on Hernandez’s death soon.
 

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