Sgt. 1st Class Jason F. Dene non-combat death in Iraq

Mia Farrow's nephew dies of non-combat causes in Iraq
By John Curran
Associated Press Writer / May 28, 2008
MONTPELIER, Vt.—A U.S. Army sergeant originally from Castleton has died in Iraq, but of injuries not related to combat, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason F. Dene, 37, a nephew of actress Mia Farrow, died Sunday of injuries suffered in an incident in Baghdad on Saturday, according to the Department of Defense, which gave no other details about his death except to say it was under investigation.

The Pentagon referred questions to Fort Stewart, Ga., where Dene -- an infantry paratrooper -- was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. A spokesman there did not immediately return a phone call Wednesday evening.

Dene's mother is Tisa Farrow, of Castleton, whose famous sister is a vocal opponent of the war in Iraq.

On Mia Farrow's web site, a posting under the title "What For?" read, in part: "Jason loved his parents and sister, his wife Judi and their three small children. He also loved his country and he was proud to serve it. But I honestly don't know why Jason died."
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