SAN DIEGO — A sailor charged with murder who committed suicide in the brig at Camp Pendleton asphyxiated himself by stuffing toilet paper in his mouth, according to a U.S. Navy spokesman.
Petty Officer Jonathan Campos was found unresponsive in his cell about 12:20 p.m. Friday, said Navy spokesman Doug Sayers. He was rushed to the base hospital, where he was pronounced dead an hour later.
Campos, 32, of Lancaster, Calif., was charged July 23 in connection with the fatal shooting of Seaman August Provost of Houston. On June 30, Provost, 29, was shot several times while on duty in a sentry station at Camp Pendleton.
His remains were set on fire in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, officials said.
Campos was charged with 16 criminal offenses, including murder, unlawful handling of a dead body, stealing military property and soliciting a civilian to kill a fellow sailor.
