After the U.S. Army hired Desmond Crutchfield — a civilian from Marietta, Georgia — for a six-week contracting assignment, the 31-year-old eagerly headed over to Germany for the job.
However, Crutchfield passed under mysterious circumstances mere days later, and his body was decomposed by the time it reached his family. As a result, his mother, Carolyn Gilreath, is searching for answers.
Authorities Say Desmond Crutchfield Fell From A Five-Story Window
Gilreath spoke on the situation during a recent interview with Justin Carter for TSR Investigates, sharing that her son flew to Munich on May 13, 2023, to install fiber optics technology on an Army base.
After a couple of days, Gilreath stopped hearing from her son, and authorities were soon at her doorstep instructing her to contact the U.S. Consulate. Upon doing so, she learned of the tragic news.
“It’s the most devastating feeling that any parent can go through.”
According to Gilreath, authorities said Crutchfield passed away after falling five stories from a hotel room window. They also called the matter accidental and noted that he was alone in his room after midnight when he fell.
While German authorities say surveillance cameras captured footage of the tragedy, they are unable to release it to Gilreath unless she hires a Germany-based lawyer.
The Body Had “Decomposed” By The Time It Arrived To The U.S.
Following the tragedy, it’s important to note that Crutchfield’s body didn’t return to his family until 23 days after his death, and it arrived in a “severe[ly] decomposed” state.
“When they opened up the casket, it was devastating. I wanted to touch him. I wanted to give him just one last kiss, and I couldn’t. His skin was already peeling off and severe[ly] decomposed.”
While speaking on the situation, she emotionally said that Crutchfield “should’ve been treated like a human.” Gilreath also declared that she’d “never” get closure, as they had to cremate her son, and “that’s not the kind of burial that [the family] would want.”
In a statement, a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State said, “When a U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Department provides all appropriate consular assistance to the family and friends.”
Currently, Gilreath is trying to hire a Germany-based attorney to help get some clarity on her son’s death. She adds, “I pray that the Lord will grant me answers [and] transparency.”
In the meantime, Carolyn has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for “a proper funeral service” in the Bahamas, where the family is from. You can access the fundraiser here.
Check out the full TSR Investigates episode below.
