Hibbing police are investigating the possible suicide of a Minnesota National Guard soldier whose body was found Monday in the Hibbing armory.
The Minnesota National Guard identified the soldier as Staff Sgt. Ryan Esala, 43, of Virginia, Minn., who served for more than 26 years. Published reports indicate that a weapon was near the body.
Esala joined the Minnesota Guard in September of 1989 and was deployed to Bosnia in 2003-04 and Kuwait in 2011-12. He most recently served as the unit supply sergeant for Alpha Troop, 1-94 Cavalry, headquartered in Hibbing, the Guard said.
Mark Brunswick
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