Updated March 29, 2023 at 4:57 p.m.

The Navy is investigating the death of a sailor at the Newport News Shipbuilding facility Monday.

Devon Jeffrey Faehnrich joined the Navy in 2021, right after leaving high school in Westminster, Colorado. The USS Montana was his first boat after finishing submarine school. An Electronics Technician 3rd Class, he was in the process of being promoted.

Assigned to the USS Montana, the sailor was found unresponsive Monday afternoon on the pier next to the submarine. The sailor was rushed to Riverside Regional Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead.

In a written statement, the spokesman for Submarine Forces Atlantic said:  “We deeply mourn the loss of our shipmate, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Sailor’s family, friends and coworkers.”

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the incident.

“NCIS is conducting a thorough investigation into the death of the Sailor, as we do in response to any non-combat, medically unattended deaths of Department of the Navy service members,” said Jeff Houston, spokesman for NCIS. “Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS will not comment further while the investigation remains ongoing.”

The sub was docked at Newport News Shipbuilding facility. The USS Montana is a Virginia Class submarine, which was commissioned in June. The boat was still undergoing shakedown testing prior to its first deployment. 

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