Updated 08/26/2010 10:46 AM
Soldier's body is exhumed; Army closes case
On a day we find out exclusively the body of fallen soldier Amy Seyboth Tirador has been exhumed, we're also learning the Army has closed its case in her death. Our Erin Connolly sat down with Seyboth Tirador's father to hear the latest on their search to find the truth.
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Amy Seyboth Tirador and her husband, Mickey Tirador
COLONIE, N.Y. -- There have been two large developments in one day regarding the death of Staff Sgt. Amy Seyboth Tirador of Colonie. First, there's been an official ruling from the Army. And second, we have confirmation, for the first time, that Amy's family has taken matters into their own hands.
"On May 19th, my son-in-law and I did have her exhumed at Saratoga National Cemetery," said her father, Jerry Seyboth.
For the first time, we're learning the soldier's body was exhumed by her husband, Mickey Tirador. It's a fact Amy's father Jerry and Mickey wanted to keep private, but with so many people pointing fingers at Mickey, he wanted to clear up any misunderstandings.
Jerry Seyboth
Her father Jerry said, "I don't think he had anything to do with my daughter's death, and I think he's doing everything possible to get to the bottom of it."
Amy died last November in Iraq while serving her third tour of duty. An Arabic translator, Amy went back to the barracks to spend some time with Mickey who was serving in the same unit. The next day, Amy was found with a single gunshot wound to the head.
"She was a devout Christian, and I just can't see her doing it," her father said.
In a release Wednesday, the Army's Criminal Investigative Division said they have closed Amy's case and found she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jerry said he and Mickey believe the Army is covering something up. That's why they enlisted the help of renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, who conducted a second autopsy.
"There were some findings, but they are to remain private right now," Jerry said.
Now, still left with many questions about his daughter's death, Jerry fears he may never get any answers.
He said, "I know we'll never know who pulled the trigger, but I wish some material would be found to show my daughter didn't take her own life."
While the Army may have closed its case, Dr. Baden and Mickey Tirador will continue their own private investigation.
On the day of Amy's Ride, August 7th, I was approached by friends, supporters and media with scores of questions and concerns about Amy's case. After discussing this with my son-in-law, Mickey Tirador, we must address a statement inaccurately disclosed in The Times Union article, published on August 3, 2010, titled, “Hitting the road to honor a lost daughter.” The inaccuracy read, “Murphy [Colleen Murphy, Amy's mother] wants to exhume Tirador's body to do additional testing, but Mickey Tirador [Amy's husband] has not granted pathologists to do that.”
In fact, our son-in-law, Mickey Tirador, was in town, on May 19, 2010. And in the presence of Mickey and I, the body of my daughter, his wife SSG Amy C. Seyboth Tirador was exhumed at the Saratoga National Cemetery. Dr. Michael Baden, in the presence of SFC Tirador's attorney, myself and Mickey Tirador, a second, private, autopsy was performed. Now that we believe the Army has closed Amy's case, my son-in-law will continue to pursue this matter silently. He has requested me to be his confidante in all matters. It is on-going information and will remain private.
We hope that this will clear up some misunderstandings that the media and the public have had. We hope that the media and certain individuals will stop speculating or exploiting this case. Furthermore, we ask that you continue to honor Amy, and that you will pray for all of us and for the truth.