--- title: "Montana-based airman found dead, cause under investigation" description: "Staff Sgt. Manuel Trevino Jr., of the 841st Missile Security Forces Squadron, was found dead by the Cascade County Sheriff department, wrote Col. Jennifer Reeves, commander of the 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., in a Facebook post on Wednesday." date: "2020-01-15" modified: "2020-01-15" authors: - name: "David Roza" job_title: "Senior Reporter" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/david-roza.md" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/montana-airman-found-dead-investigation/" categories: - "Air Force" - "Around the World" - "Military Branches" - "News" - "United States" tags: - "justice" - "Northern Command" --- # Montana-based airman found dead, cause under investigation ![]() A Montana airman was found dead by local police on Tuesday, prompting an ongoing investigation, said Air Force Col. Jennifer Reeves, commander of the 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., [in a Facebook post]() on Wednesday. Staff Sgt. Manuel Trevino, Jr., of the 841st Missile Security Forces Squadron, was found dead by the Cascade County Sheriff department, Reeves said. Though Reeves did not specify how Trevino died, or where he was found, the colonel urged airmen to reach out for help if they are going through a hard time. "This is me talking, Airmen. Please…there's nothing we can't handle," Reeves wrote. "We've helped with finances, break-ups, depression, and other struggles. And let's be honest…we've all had our versions of these same struggles. Nothing is more important than your life. I'm asking you to reach out." Reeves listed resources including the Military Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, or by text at 838255), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255(TALK)), or texting HOME to 741741. Trevino's death comes six days after two fellow airmen, Airmen First Class Xavier Leaphart and Aziess Whitehurst were found dead at Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany. Like Trevino, their deaths are still under investigation. Judging by the comments responding to Reeves' Facebook post, Trevino was a respected airman. "This breaks my heart man. You were a good guy. Gone too soon," wrote one commenter. "You'll be missed TJ. Rest in peace, brother," wrote another. ## Author David Roza is a senior reporter at Task & Purpose with extensive experience covering aviation, technology, military pay, benefits, health care, child care, culture, and a range of other personnel matters.David previously covered the Air Force and Space Force for Task & Purpose from 2019 to 2023 and for Air & Space Forces Magazine from 2023 to 2025 before returning to Task & Purpose as a scriptwriter for the team's YouTube channel. Share tips and story ideas with David at david.roza@recurrent.io. ## More - [Police investigating death of Montana-based airman, the fourth this year]() - [An Air Force Investigator Was Browsing Reddit And Ended Up Saving An Airman’s Life]() - [Army identifies infantryman found dead at Fort Bliss]() - [Airman found dead at F.E. Warren was under investigation for M18 incident]() - [Corps investigating death of Marine colonel days before his retirement]() - [Investigation launched after service member and his spouse found dead near Offutt Air Force Base]() - [‘Do your part’ — Joint Chiefs vice chair calls on leaders to end military suicide crisis]() - [Air Force officer who fled court-martial found dead following standoff with police]()