Fort Bragg Soldier Found Dead on Cape Lookout National Seashore was Decapitated, Autopsy Could Only Examine Head

FORT BRAGG – While an investigation into an apparent double-murder stemming from an apparent drug deal gone wrong on the grounds of Fort Bragg is ongoing, investigations into a different homicide of a soldier from this summer are again making headlines.

Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez was reported missing on May 23, following a Memorial Day weekend camping trip with other soldiers to Cape Lookout National Seashore in Carteret County. His remains were found on Shakleford Banks, just down current from Cape Lookout and only separated by a small inlet, six days later, on May 29.

Authorities ruled it a homicide at the time, but never said why. Now, the medical examiner’s office says they cannot conclusively determine the cause of death in the killing of Roman-Martinez because they only have the victim’s head to examine.

The autopsy reports he was actually decapitated, and they do not have the body. According to the Military Times:

“[…] but the cause of death remains undetermined because only his head was available for examination, according to the Division of Forensic Pathology at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine.

“While decapitation is, in and of itself, universally fatal, the remainder of the body in this case was not available for examination, and therefore potential causes of death involving the torso and extremities cannot be excluded,” the report states.

Among the findings: “Evidence of multiple chop injuries of the head” and a jaw broken in at least two places, the report says. […]”

No arrests have been made in the case. Currently there is a $25,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.

Roman-Martinez was 21 years old. A native of Chino, California, he was a human resource specialist assigned to Headquarters Company, 37th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.