YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan – An Air Force squadron commander's daughter died after a hiking accident in Guam on Sunday, 36th Wing officials at Andersen Air Force Base confirmed Tuesday.
Erynn Hayward, 13, died after an accident at a base recreation area, 36th Wing spokesman Tech. Sgt. Mike Andriacco said Tuesday.
Erynn was pronounced dead at 5 p.m. Sunday at Guam Memorial Hospital, according to Guam media reports.
No one else was injured, Andriacco said. Further details were unavailable because of the ongoing investigation, he said.
Erynn is the daughter of Lt. Col. Gary Hayward, commander of the 644th Combat Communications Squadron.
Hayward and his wife, Kathy, thanked the community for its support Tuesday in a statement issued by the 36th Wing public affairs office.
"Erynn was bright, loving and intelligent," the statement said. "She would want us to remember her and celebrate her life, and we will. We will always grieve for her, but when we think of her, we will smile, remember the good times, and know that she is watching over us."
A rosary for Erynn Hayward will be said every day at 6 p.m. through Jan. 25 in Chapel 1 on Anderson Air Force Base, according to a base release. Condolence messages will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at Chapel 2.
