USS Montana sailor died by suicide, medical examiner says

Caitlyn Burchett
Daily Press
(TNS)

A USS Montana sailor who was found Monday at Newport News Shipbuilding died by suicide, the Tidewater Medical Examiner confirmed.

Devon Jeffrey Faehnrich was found on the pier adjacent to the fast-attack submarine by another crew member. He was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Faehnrich, an electronics technician navigation third class, reported to the USS Montana on March 30, 2022. The submarine was commissioned in June 2022 and is undergoing a post-shakedown availability at the Newport News shipyard.

“We deeply mourn the loss of our shipmate, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Sailor’s family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time,” said Cmdr. Paul Macapagal, spokesperson for Submarine Force Atlantic.

Faehnrich’s death is the second suicide of a Hampton Roads-based sailor reported in 2023. The first was Lucian Johan Woods, a boatswain’s mate seaman aboard the drydocked USS George Washington. Woods died Jan. 23 at a private residence in Newport News.

Grief counseling services and support are being provided to Montana shipmates through the chain of command and the command chaplain, Macapagal said.

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