The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the death of a military officer whose body was found at the Twentynine Palms Marine base, authorities said.
Maj. Gen. William F. Mullen was found dead at the Twentynine Palms base on Saturday, according to San Bernardino County coroner records.
Mullen, who was once the base's commanding general, retired in 2020.
San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez confirmed that NCIS is investigating the death at the facility, which is the largest Marine Corps training base in the world.
NCIS is the investigative law enforcement arm of the Department of the Navy. The agency conducts criminal investigations and, according to its website, also investigates noncombatant deaths of Navy or Marine Corps members.
NCIS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Maj. Gen. Mullen’s dedicated service to our nation and the Marine Corps will always be remembered,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage, commanding general of Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.”
Marine officials confirmed that NCIS is investigating the cause of death.
San Bernardino coroner's officials are handling the autopsy, Rodriguez said. The investigation is ongoing.
Prior to his retirement, Mullen served as commanding general of the Training and Education Command, according to the U.S. Marine Corps. His extensive military experience includes tours of duty in the Middle East, leading a counternarcotics mission in the Los Padres National Forest and serving as a Marine aide to President Clinton.
