A Navy sailor died on Oct. 10 in an apparent homicide, the Lake County, Ill., Coroner’s Office told USNI News.
The preliminary investigation by the North Chicago Police Department indicates John Taylor, 39, shot Olivia Lacey, 36, before dying by suicide. Lacey was an active duty Navy sailor, Steve Newton, chief deputy of the coroner’s office, told USNI News on Thursday.
While it is believed to be an isolated incident, the North Chicago Police Department is continuing to investigate, according to the coroner’s office statement.
Lacey and Taylor lived together. In a statement to local media outlet ABC 7 Chicago, Naval Station Great Lakes confirmed that the two lived in Navy housing.
“We mourn the loss of our shipmate and extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of the sailor and the other individual involved. Our thoughts are with all those affected during this difficult time,” reads the statement.
The two deaths come as Naval Station Great Lakes, home to the Navy’s boot camp, deals with a spate of suicides that began in the spring.
Three sailors died by suicide between April 18 and May 14, while a fourth died in August, USNI News previously reported.
Another sailor also died in the spring from complications of alcohol use disorder, with hypertensive cardiovascular disease as a contributing factor.
Chief Gunner’s Mate Daniel Dlask died by suicide on April 18, and Machinist Mate First Class Jacob Lavold died on May 14. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Makaio Bartley died on May 4 in a car crash. The Navy died not consider his death a suicide, but the Lake County Coroner’s Office determined he died by suicide.
Kayshawn Wilkerson, 18, died by an apparent suicide at a firing range on Naval Station Great Lakes on Aug. 6.
After Wilkerson’s death, Recruit Training Command paused all live-fire range training, Cmdr. Laura Stegherr, spokesperson for Naval Education and Training Command, told USNI News. Operations have yet to resume.
RTC is reviewing its live-fire procedures to evaluate current practices and any other risk mitigations the Navy can take to enhance safety while at the shooting range. When the review is finalized, live fire operations will resume.
Suicide Prevention Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)