The family of Denisha Montgomery has lingering concerns surrounding the death of their loved one while on a military tour of duty overseas.
According to a NewsNation report, the 27-year-old was found dead after making a disturbing call to family that she did not feel safe with other soldiers in Germany, where she was assigned.
The mother of three joined the U.S. Army in 2020 to help support her children and was assigned to be stationed in Germany’s 139th Military Police Company in Wiesbaden.
In July, Montgomery was distraught in a video call she made to her family. She requested that they record the conversation in which she said she wanted to come home.
“Look what they did to me,” Montgomery said in the video where she is seen with bruises and wounds on her body. The 12-minute video call also revealed an account she provided stating that she accompanied a group of military police officers from her unit to attend a water park. She said that they had some drinks and on their way back to the base they assaulted and strangled her.
“They choked me out…like they was doing this in the car. I kept telling them … I can’t breathe,” Montgomery said in tears.
Her family immediately contacted the Red Cross and reported the incident. The next day, she sent a text message to her uncle.
“They told me if I report an assault I’ll be charged with assault too because I mushed the female and bit the male that was choking me,” the text message read.
Three weeks later, Montgomery was found dead in her barracks. The Army ruled it a suicide.
“We’re sorry to inform you that your daughter has committed suicide by suffocation,” Montgomery’s mother, Heather Montgomery said military officials told her.
“And I said, ‘How do you suffocate yourself? How can you possibly suffocate yourself?’” her mother questioned.
“I know my daughter, she’s strong. She’s not a weak person. she’s a very strong person,” said Rodney Montgomery, the victim’s father who added that his daughter would never kill herself.
Days after her death, authorities said that “the incident is currently under investigation by the U.S. Army criminal investigation division.”
“It doesn’t make any sense. How are you still investigating when you prematurely said she committed suicide? That tells me that you’ve already have a determination,” said Tomeka Light, Denisha’s aunt, who served as a sergeant in the army for 13 years. She suspects foul play.
“Something told me that her life was in danger,” Light added.
Army officials declined NewsNation’s request for comment but sent the following statement: “Special agents with department of the army criminal investigation division are investigating the death of Spc. Denisha Montgomery.”
