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A young sailor died by suicide. Her family blames health care gaps and long deployment

Sep 29, 2026 · Steve Walsh

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

A young sailor died by suicide. Her family blames health care gaps and long deployment
Jaimie Bethea, a 21-year-old mass communication specialist, had been deployed on the USS Fort Lauderdale for more than 11 months. She died by suicide in June, a month before the ship finally returned to Norfolk, Va.
Jaimie Bethea, a 21-year-old mass communication specialist, had been deployed on the USS Fort Lauderdale for more than 11 months. She died by suicide in June, a month before the ship finally returned to Norfolk, Va.

Jaimie Bethea, a 21-year-old mass communication specialist, had been deployed on the USS Fort Lauderdale for more than 11 months. She died by suicide in June.

(Image credit: Arianna Calderon)

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