A US Navy sailor assigned to aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was discovered unresponsive onboard the ship on July 10, the service said.
Navy Region Southwest Federal Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced the sailor dead.
While there are no indications of suicide or foul play, the navy said it is investigating the circumstances of the death, adding that the identity of the sailor will not be released until 24 hours after the primary next of kin have been notified.
The incident took place while the carrier was pier side at Naval Air Station North Island, California, having returned from an eight-month deployment to the Pacific and Asia Pacific in February this year.
During the deployment, the ship became the first aircraft carrier to deploy with a combination of fourth and fifth-generation platforms, including the F-35C Lightning IIs of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, and the CMV-22B Ospreys of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30.
Update: The US Navy has confirmed that the deceased sailor was 22-year-old Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Darren Collins.
Collins, a native of Broken Arrow, Okla., joined the Navy in 2019. After his initial recruit training, he attended Information Warfare Training in Pensacola, Fla., before reporting aboard Carl Vinson in October 2020.
The official cause of death is still being confirmed.
“My deepest condolences go out to the Collins family in this time of tragic loss,” said Capt. P. Scott Miller, commanding officer, USS Carl Vinson. “As shipmates we grieve the untimely passing of a talented young man. We will continue to provide support to the Vinson crew and the Collins family. In addition to our shipboard resources, our sailors are receiving tremendous support from the base and regional mental health services.”
