Mom of Combat Wounded Son Still Doesn't Know Why He Died

2 years after N.J. soldier who lost legs in Afghanistan dies, mom still wants to know why
NJ.com
By Alex Napoliello
March 18, 2015

"Today is my son's 2 year angelversary," she writes. "He fought for 20 months at Walter Reed to recover from his injuries in Afghanistan. While I am forever thankful and grateful for those extra 20 months, he was still taken from us way too soon. I miss him each and every day."

"Puppy Derek" was named in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. Derek Tra McConnell. During the Star-Spangled Spectacular in Baltimore in September 2014, "Puppy Derek" made some new Marine friends.
(Courtesy of Janet Lally)

PARSIPPANY — Two years ago today, Siobhan Fuller-McConnell's 23-year-old son died shortly after being released from a military medical center. She says she's still wants to know why.

"I try not to think about it," Fuller-McConnell said. "I try to do things that keep his memory alive. ... I will never officially get word from Walter Reed about what happened to Derek."

U.S. Army Sgt. Derek Tra McConnell lost his legs and suffered severe blast wounds in July 2011 after two improvised explosive devices hit him while he was on patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

He seemed to be doing well, recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., learning to walk with his prosthetic legs.

He and his fiancé, Krystina Dressler, were to marry soon after they won an online contest for an $80,000 wedding.

But those plans vanished on March 18, 2013.
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Double amputee Afghanistan Veteran Derek McConnell passed away