Canadian female soldier found dead at base in Kandahar

Maj. Michelle Mendes - DND photo

The department of defense is reporting another Canadian fatality in Afghanistan. But DND says Major Michelle Mendes, based in Ottawa, Ontario, was not a victim of enemy action.

Major Mendes had at one time served in a military intelligence unit and had survived the friendly fire incident involving U.S. aircraft.

She is the second Canadian female soldier to die in Afghanistan this month. Trooper Karine Blais, 21, was killed April 13 in a bomb blast – generally labeled by the armed forces as an IED explosion.

“At approximately 4:00 p.m. Kandahar time, 23 April 2009, a Canadian Forces member was found dead in her accommodation room, at Kandahar Airfield,” DND said.

“Deceased is Major Michelle Mendes, based in Ottawa, Ontario,” said the report.

“An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances of this incident. No further details are available at this time, although enemy action has been ruled out.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our lost comrade. Our primary focus at this time is to provide the best possible support to the family of our soldier and to her colleagues,” DND said in a statement.

DND said the family of Major Mendes will have no immediate comment.

While ruling out enemy action, DND did not specify how she died.

Related articles:

1. Roadside bomb in Afghanistan kills female Canadian soldier, four more injured
2. Four Canadian soldiers killed in 11 days in Afghanistan
3. Fourth Fort Lewis soldier dies in Afghanistan
4. Bomb kills NATO soldier in southern Afghanistan