Missing Veteran Richard Miles Found Frozen in Park

UPDATE
Discovery of veteran's frozen body leads Ernst to call for review

Friends Question If Veteran’s Death Could Have Been Prevented 
13 News WHO TV
BY JODI WHITWORTH
FEBRUARY 21, 2015

DES MOINES, Iowa –Family, friends and colleagues are mourning the death Richard Miles but they also question whether his death would have been prevented.

On Friday, police discovered the 41 – year – old’s body partially frozen in Water Works Park.

Authorities say his death is not considered suspicious but according to his friends, Miles was suffering from issues that likely lead to him taking his own life.

Miles was in the Army and deployed to the Middle East three times. Friends say he was proud to serve in the military and claimed it only had positive effects on him. However, Aller realizes his friend may have been quietly dealing with severe depression for years.

“According to a text from him a week and a half ago, Richard was looking to spend sometime in the hospital to work things out. That was the last time I spoke to him,” says Allers.

Miles visited the V.A. Hospital numerous times and was treated with medication but he wanted long term hospitalization and evaluation. Allers says, “He [ Miles] did seek out that help and went through the appropriate channels he knew to follow, unfortunately it’s our belief he was let down with the assistance he was given which potentially lead us to where we are today.”

In the midst of his struggle, Miles, was a familiar face the Science Center of Iowa. He developed and presented astronomy exhibits.
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