Parris Island drill instructor found dead in Florida hotel

A drill instructor assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., was found dead Saturday in a hotel room in Starke, Fla., the Marine Corps said Tuesday.

The Marine was identified as Sgt. Albert Haynes II, 24, of Austin, Pa. He was assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, at the training facility for Marine recruits.

At the time of the incident, Haynes was on temporary additional duty supporting a poolee function at Recruiting Station Jacksonville, the service said.

A cause of death was not immediately available. The incident is under investigation by the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

The Marine Corps is cooperating fully with the authorities, the service said.

Haynes was a decorated Marine whose awards included the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (x2), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (x3).