Siddiqui’s family does not believe he committed suicide, according to family attorney Shiraz Khan.
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The results of the three command investigations, reviewed by Military.com on September 8, revealed that the drill instructor whose abuse and harassment of Siddiqui provided “impetus” for the recruit’s death had been previously investigated for hazing another Muslim recruit by throwing him in a clothes dryer and calling him a “terrorist”.
A military investigation found that several trainees were subjected to verbal and physical abuse.
“While this investigation has brought disturbing information to light, it is now critical that the proceedings move forward in a thorough and just manner, and that the Marine Corps holds those responsible accountable while ensuring this never happens again”, she said.
The Marine Corps has said the death could lead to punishments for as many as 20 officers and enlisted leaders, some of whom have already been fired.
The investigation into the abuse and torture of recruits follows multiple allegations of ill-treatment by Marines who graduated from Parris Island. “After meeting with General Renforth and talking with other key members of leadership, drill instructors, and recruits, it is clear that the Marine Corps is treating this issue with the seriousness it deserves”, Dingell said in a statement.
According to one recruit, one of drill instructors involved in the dryer incident had allegedly “forcefully slapped” Siddiqui moments before the young recruit ran away and jumped down the stairwell in his barracks.
Twenty personnel in the Marines could face disciplinary action tied to the case, officials have said.
They also revealed “gaps in awareness” by commanders in terms of their roles within the investigation process, and uncovered inconsistencies in the Marines’ policies and procedures for responding to suicidal ideations or statements.
The Marine Corps said immediate steps have been taken to enforce a “zero-tolerance” approach to hazing, and called for increased oversight of training activities by additional Marine Corps officers.
‘There are too many questions that remain unanswered.
“At this time, we acknowledge the efforts of the United States Marine Corps”.
“The family feels that their son was targeted and intentionally abused”.
“We believe there is a lack of material evidence needed to support “suicide” as the most probable cause of death in this case”, Khan said in a statement released Tuesday. Debbie Dingell, (D-MI) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) traveled to the Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot located on the SC coast about 75 miles (120.7 kilometers) southwest of Charleston.
The details emerged from a redacted report reviewed by ABC News of an investigation into the training practices at Parris Island, in SC.
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About 500 drill instructors are assigned to Parris Island, the only site where female Marines go through basic training, but they are trained in units separate from their male counterparts.
