Marine found dead in Albany motel room

The Associated Press - ALBANY, Ga

Police and the Marine Corps were investigating the death of a Marine who served in Iraq and whose body was found in a motel room this week.

Authorities refused to discuss the case, except to confirm that the Marine's body was found Tuesday morning.

The Marine Corps identified the deceased as Sgt. Michael J. Carlson, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colo., a member of the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Carlson was stationed at Camp Pendleton, but was performing temporary duties at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, officials said.

"The incident is under investigation and the cause of death is under investigation," said 1st Lt. Nathan Braden, a Marine spokesman at Camp Pendleton. "We're working closely with civil authorities."

Carlson, a small arms technician who joined the Marines in 1999, had served in Iraq, but it had not been determined yet when his deployment had ended, Braden said. Among his personal awards, Carlson had received a Combat Action Ribbon, but Braden said he couldn't immediately comment on whether that was awarded for action in Iraq or perhaps Afghanistan.