No foul play suspected in Aviano airman’s death at off-base home

VICENZA, Italy — An active-duty airman found dead at his off-base housing in northern Italy last week was a precision-guided munitions production supervisor, officials said Tuesday.

Tech. Sgt. Conner Wells of North Fork, Calif., was found dead Sept. 22 at his residence in Roveredo in Piano, the 31st Fighter Wing said in a statement. The community is near Aviano Air Base, where the wing said Wells was serving with the 31st Munitions Squadron. 

“Our hearts are heavy with the loss of one of our own,” Col. Beau Diers, 31st Fighter Wing commander, said in the statement. 

The circumstances of Wells’ death remain under investigation, the wing said, but foul play is not suspected.

“Conner’s presence will be greatly missed,” Diers said. “We extend our support and condolences to his family and teammates during this difficult time.”

Wells entered active duty in the Air Force in August 2015, 1st Lt. Hannah Malone, a wing spokesperson, said via email on Wednesday. 

He had earned about 16 awards and decorations, including an Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, an Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Korean Defense Service Medal, according to information Malone provided. 

Though the wing did not say when or where Wells had deployed during his years in the service, he had received an Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with one service star, meaning he had served in Iraq, Syria or its surrounding water or airspace in five separate campaign phases of the fight against the Islamic State after June 2014. 

Wells was also twice awarded the Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, signifying he had served in combat zones and engaged in or supported combat operations.