Soldier found dead in Fort Meade barracks

We honor the memory of Army Pfc. Paul-Anthony Varner.
Folded flag
FILE: Soldiers fold the American flag while performing the daily flag retirement detail on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (Justin Connaher/U.S. Air Force)

Army Pfc. Paul-Anthony Varner, 25, was pronounced dead in the Freedom Barracks at Fort Meade, Maryland, on Wednesday after being found unresponsive, a base news release says.

Originally from San Antonio, Varner was an intelligence analyst assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 741st Military Intelligence Battalion, 704th Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Meade.

Subscribe to Task & Purpose today. Get the latest military news and culture in your inbox daily.

Varner was pronounced dead in his room at 10:33 a.m. on Wednesday following a 911 call.

No information was immediately available about what may have caused Varner’s death.

Both Military Police Investigation and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene after Varner was found unresponsive.

“While no indications of self-harm or foul play were initially evident, CID has assumed responsibility for the investigation,” the news release says.

The latest on Task & Purpose

Jeff Schogol Avatar

Jeff Schogol

Senior Pentagon Reporter

Jeff Schogol is a senior staff writer for Task & Purpose. He has covered the military for nearly 20 years. Email him at schogol@taskandpurpose.com; direct message @JSchogol73030 on Twitter; or reach him on WhatsApp and Signal at 703-909-6488.