A 2003 graduate of Ramona High School in Riverside died in Iraq earlier this month, but the Department of Defense did not release details about the circumstances.

Marine Corps Pfc. Brian K. Cutter, 19, was found unconscious on May 13 and was later pronounced dead in Al Asad, Iraq.

The cause of death is under investigation, and a spokesman at Camp Pendleton, where Cutter's unit is based, did not have the date of death or other details.

Cutter, who grew up in foster care, saw the Marines as a family, said Capt. Brian Frost, who has led Ramona High School's ROTC for nine years. Cutter attended Ramona for about a year and participated in ROTC.

Cutter's senior year was filled with anticipation and excitement at enlisting in the Marines.

"He wanted to serve proudly in the Marine Corps," Frost said by phone. "He was very excited about going into the Marines and starting a life of his own."

He often spent the lunch period in Frost's classroom along with other ROTC students.

"He was a wonderful young man," Frost said.

"This is going to be very hard on everyone who knew him."

Cutter completed 12 weeks of basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, according to a military press release issued in December.

The release described him as the son of Dorrthy Krisch of Riverside, but she could not be reached for comment.

Cutter was assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Al Asad is in northern Iraq, about 112 miles westof Baghdad.

Cutter is the second casualty in Iraq from Riverside.

Another Camp Pendleton-based Marine, Pfc. Brandon C. Sturdy, 19, of Urbandale, Iowa, died May 13 from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province in Iraq.