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Army rules soldier death a suicide; father still thinks murder

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LaVena Johnson, before Prom in 2004 (family photo)

By AP/KWMU

St. Louis, MO – Army officials have ruled that a Florissant woman committed suicide while serving in Iraq last year. But the father of LaVena Johnson says he doesn't believe it.

He says he still thinks his 19-year old daughter was murdered last July.

The military recently shared the conclusion with the John Johnson. He suspected murder shortly after LaVena's death last July 19th.

The family is expecting a final report from the Army soon. Johnson was the first female Missouri soldier to die while serving in Iraq.

She joined the military to pay for college and was an aspiring movie maker.

To hear a story by KWMUs Tom Weber, which aired last year right after LaVena's death, click here.

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