Army investigators meet with family of shot soldier

U.S. National Guard soldier was shot dead in a secure area of Afghanistan. Army investigators met with the family of the killed soldier to determine how the woman died.

Photo: Army investigators meet with family of shot soldier

Spc. Ciara Durkin, 30, was found with a single gunshot wound to her head in a secure area of Bagram Airfield on Friday.

Her family at first said the Army gave conflicting information about her death, telling them she was killed "in action," then later saying she died in a "non-combat related incident." They also said the Army was withholding copies of the autopsy report and her will.

The case drew Congressional attention, with U.S. Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy urging Army officials to be more forthcoming.

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which represents gay and lesbian military personnel, has called for a thorough investigation. Durkin was openly a lesbian, her sister Fiona Canavan told The Boston Globe.

Army investigators met with the family Wednesday.

"The family is confident that the Army is conducting a thorough investigation of Ciara's death and intends to give the Army time to complete its inquiry," the family said in a statement. They did not return phone messages left by The Associated Press for additional comment.

The Army's Criminal Investigation Command is probing the death, although that does not necessarily mean foul play is involved, spokesman Chris Gary said.

Canavan told the Patriot Ledger newspaper that Durkin said she had seen some things "she didn't like and made some enemies because of it." The family has discounted the possibility of suicide, saying Durkin was upbeat during her last visit home in September.

Durkin was assigned to a finance battalion, where she helped make sure soldiers got paid.