MI Congresswoman Wants Answers on Muslim Marine's Death

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, is continuing to pressure the Marine Corps’ top general and other military officials to release information about the investigation into the death of Taylor Marine Pvt. Raheel Siddiqui, to determine if hazing was involved.

Siddiqui died March 18 after arriving for boot camp at the Marine Corps’ Parris Island training facility in South Carolina. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has determined no foul play was involved in Siddiqui’s death after falling nearly 40 feet in a barracks stairwell.

Dingell, however, has questioned whether Siddiqui, a Muslim, was bullied. In an April 4 letter to Marine Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller earlier this month, the congresswoman asked for more information about the investigation, but has yet to receive a response.

“The family of Private Raheel Siddiqui deserves to understand all of the facts and circumstances surrounding his tragic death,” Dingell said in a statement Thursday. “We are working to ensure that this investigation is carried out in a thorough, detailed and exhaustive manner, and I continue to speak with the appropriate people at the Marine Corps to ensure this occurs.”

As the Navy Criminal Investigative Service continues its investigation, “it is very important that we have a full picture of what happened,” she said.

Dingell described Siddiqui as “an intelligent, loyal, patriotic young Muslim man — and class valedictorian — who loved his country.”

She said she has been”deeply touched at the overwhelming number of people who have reached out to me who knew him, attended school with him, or worked with him.”

“Each one has told me that all he wanted to do was serve the country that had been so good to him and protect the freedoms we hold dear,” Dingell said.