This post has been updated with additional details on the investigation.
Vice Adm. Scott A. Stearney, commander of U.S. 5th Fleet, was found dead in his quarters in Bahrain on Saturday, according to a statement from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson.
While an investigation is ongoing, the death of Stearney will almost certainly be ruled a suicide, a U.S. defense official told USNI News. An official determination on the cause of death is expected by mid-week, USNI News has learned.
A Navy spokesperson didn’t have additional information on the investigation when contacted by USNI News on Saturday.
“The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected,” read a statement from Richardson.
“Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend to all of us,” Richardson said. “The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected. Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, the deputy commander of 5th Fleet, has assumed command and is maintaining continuity in our responsibilities and posture in the U.S. 5th Fleet.”
Stearney previously served as director of operations at U.S. Central Command in MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. He was a 1982 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. Stearney was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1984, and flew more than 4,500 hours, accumulating more than 1,000 carrier-arrested landings while flying F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters.
His served at sea aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Ashore, Stearney served as tactics instructor and readiness officer at Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).
Stearney had taken command of 5th Fleet in May.
The following is the Dec. 1, 2018 statement from Chief of Naval Operations.
WASHINGTON (NNS) — Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson released the following statement Dec. 1, 2018, on the death of Vice Adm. Scott A. Stearney who served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet:
Team, it’s my sad duty to inform you that today the Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer and I were told that Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, our commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, was found deceased in his residence in Bahrain today. This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at 5th Fleet, and for the entire U.S. Navy.
Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend to all of us. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected. Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, the deputy commander of 5th Fleet, has assumed command and is maintaining continuity in our responsibilities and posture in the U.S. 5th Fleet.
I ask that you keep the Stearney family in your prayers and respect their privacy as they navigate through these very difficult times. We will keep you informed as we learn more. Thank you very much.
