MANNHEIM, Germany — A 25-year-old female U.S. soldier has died of natural cases, according to a joint U.S. military-German autopsy team.

Sgt. Cindy Lopez was found dead in her off-base apartment in Mannheim at about 9 a.m. Monday. She was assigned to V Corps’ Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 181st Transportation Battalion, part of the 3rd Corps Support Command.

Unit members had checked on her after she didn’t report to duty earlier that morning.

Most of Lopez’s battalion is deployed to the Middle East in support of operations in Iraq. Lopez helped supervise the rear detachment personnel shop. She was an avid bowler and active in kick-boxing competitions, according fellow soldiers.

Her autopsy was performed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on Tuesday morning.

“Initial results from the autopsy say this death was from natural causes,” according to Vocker Dressler, a German police spokesman. Citing German privacy laws, Dressler said he was unable to elaborate on the cause of death, but said the case was now considered closed.

U.S. military officials were unable to immediately comment on the case.

Lopez, from Jersey City, N.J., is survived by her parents, also from Jersey City.

A memorial service will be held Monday, at 2 p.m., at the Benjamin Franklin Village chapel in Mannheim.

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