Just a day after he vanished, investigators in Washington found the body of a well-respected VA surgeon and Marine veteran in the Spokane River.
Detectives say Tuesday morning they received a call that a body was found in the water on the north bank of the river– just below a trail Dr. John Marshall had routinely run along. Marshall was last seen leaving the YMCA at 5AM on Monday morning. His wife said he would normally go to the gym and then for a run through Riverfront Park or along the trail near Kendall Yards.
KREM 2 reports that the death of Dr. Marshall–a fourth-generation Marine– is being called suspicious, but there are no “obvious signs of foul play.” There are still a lot of unanswered questions in this investigation. The specific cause of death will not be known until results of an autopsy are released.
Marshall was the chief surgeon at the VA Medical Center in Spokane. The VA officials in Spokane released this statement after the shocking discovery: “A Marine, Army doctor, and combat Veteran, Dr. Marshall was an outstanding surgeon and consummate professional who cared about his patients and dedicated team of VA co-workers. We express our deepest sympathies to his family and all those who were close to him.”
“A big hole has been left in the hearts of those who knew him,” one friend told the local news station.
According to the Inlander, Marshall served five years in the Marines before becoming an Army surgeon. His wife says he was in good health and was “extremely well-trained.” Dr. Marshall had two young children and was getting ready to celebrate his 50th birthday in just a few weeks.
