Army Searches For Answers In Soldier’s Death

Special Agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) are offering a $15,000 reward to anyone with information leading to an arrest in the case of a former Fort Carson Soldier’s death.

Joseph E. Barker’s remains were discovered floating in a basin of the Waste Water Treatment Facility on Fort Carson on Feb. 21, 2006.

Barker, a former Soldier honorably discharged in May 2005, was last seen on Feb. 8, 2006 on Fort Carson. On Feb. 14, 2006, Barker was reported missing by his estranged wife.

After being discharged from the Army, Barker remained friends with several Soldiers from Fort Carson. On the evening of Feb. 7, 2006, Barker and a group of his friends were seen driving on Academy Blvd, in Colorado Springs. Surveillance footage from the Wal-Mart near North Academy showed Barker and his friends in a verbal exchange with individuals in another vehicle.

According to witnesses, Barker and his friends then went to a Soldier’s residence on Fort Carson; and then to a barracks room on Fort Carson. According to a witness, Barker was in the barracks room alive and alone on the morning of February 8, 2006.

CID Special Agents have reports from witnesses that Barker was seen being led from the barracks by unknown person(s) to a dark colored vehicle. During the course of the investigation, CID Agents have uncovered indications that illegal drugs may have played a part in Barker’s death.

An autopsy of Barker’s remains was inconclusive in determining a cause and manner of death and CID is continuing the investigation.

“We are confident that someone out there knows something about the death of Mr. Barker and we are not resting or giving up until we determined exactly what transpired,” said Army CID Special Agent Christopher Vitatoe. “We strongly encourage anyone with information to do the right thing and contact us immediately.”

Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Special Agent Vitatoe at (719) 526-3579 or call the Fort Carson Military Police at (719) 526-6199. You can also email CID Crime Tips at the CID Headquarters in Virginia at usarmy.belvoir.usacidc.mail.crime-tips@mail.mil

The Army CID says your wish to remain anonymous will be honored and information will be held in the strictest confidence allowable under the law.