Soldier sent back to Iraq with TBI and PTSD, died from overdose

Fort Carson soldier died of drug overdose
Staff Sgt. Chad Barrett had been sent on a third tour of duty in Iraq despite a brain injury and stress disorder.
By Erin Emery
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 04/08/2008 12:46:02 AM MDT


COLORADO SPRINGS — A Fort Carson soldier who was sent back to Iraq after a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury died of a drug overdose, his widow said Monday.

Shelby Barrett, the wife of Staff Sgt. Chad Barrett, 35, said a Fort Carson casualty assistance officer notified her that her husband's death was "self-inflicted." She said she has not seen an official autopsy report from the military to know whether the death has been classified as accidental or a suicide.

Shelby Barrett said that an agent with the Army's Criminal Investigation Division told her that two empty prescription-pill bottles were found next to her husband's body Feb. 2 in Mosul. Barrett said investigators also found a letter in her husband's pocket. The content of the letter, part of an ongoing probe by the Criminal Investigation Division, was not shared with her.

"We are very saddened by the loss of this soldier. The entire Fort Carson community grieves for each and every soldier we lose. However, until the investigation is completed, we are not at liberty to give out specifics surrounding his death," said Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, commanding general at Fort Carson.

Christopher Grey, a spokesman for the Army's Criminal Investigation Division, said he could not provide details until the investigation is completed.

Chad Barrett was part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, which has come under fire in recent months for sending injured soldiers to the Middle East. E-mails show that the brigade, now serving its third tour in Iraq, was having trouble reaching deployable strength when it went to Iraq late last year. The brigade surgeon said some "borderline" soldiers were returned.

Chad Barrett had been undergoing a medical evaluation board for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury suffered during two previous tours. He had a permanent profile — meaning he did not meet retention standards — but he asked Fort Carson to halt the medical board process so he could deploy.

"There is no way in hell he should have been deployed. The Army saw him as just another set of boots on the ground," said Shelby Barrett, who lives in Fountain. "From the second tour on, he changed 180 degrees. Three deployments is two too many. The Army took my husband from me. The Army destroyed my husband."

Chad Barrett worked as a radio operator from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. He was taking Klonopin for anxiety, Pamelor for severe migraines, and Lunesta and Ambien to help him sleep.

"They sent him to Iraq and gave him a weapon and wouldn't allow him to have bullets. He was a gunner, but they put him in a radio room and isolated him from everyone he knew. They put him on night watch, and that messed his meds up. None of that should have been done," Shelby Barrett said.

The widow said she hopes that there will be some accountability for sending her husband back to war.

"I would assume that there is going to be some sort of repercussions on his unit. I would hope so," she said.

Erin Emery: 719-522-1360 or eemery@denverpost.com
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_8845166?source=bb