The story behind the murder of Navy sailor August Provost grows more complicated with eac headline. The 29-year-old’s family now claims he was shot dead by a closeted sailor — who feared he’d be outed by Provost.
While the local community mourns, Provost’s family wants answers. And while the Navy hasn’t exactly been stonewalling on the investigation into Provost’s murder — they have a “person of interest” detained, but keep insisting Provost’s sexuality wasn’t a factor in his slaying — they also seem to be ignoring repeated claims from family and friends: that Provost was harassed on base because of his sexuality.
But that story seems to be changing, or at least evolving. Original assertions by the family that Provost was killed in an anti-gay hate crime are morphing into “he was killed to keep him quiet” scenario. Provost’s aunt Rose Roy (his father’s sister) won’t give up a name of who she thinks did it, but is pushing the new storyline: “This guy went the extra mile to make sure that my nephew would never be able to speak about his [the killer’s] sexuality. … My nephew died for reasons other than what the military is saying.”
The Navy, meanwhile, is working to shut down allegations that Provost’s sexuality played a part. They have no basis to go in that direction, they say, and are relying instead of physical evidence to link Provost to his murderer.
This story wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, especially given the new allegations.
While Provost was one foot out of the closet (he was out on Facebook on MySpace, posting photos of he and his boyfriend), full disclosure of his sexuality would have likely got him kicked out. It’s safe to assume Provost’s killer — if he indeed killed to prevent his own outing — acted on that same fear. We could host an entire symposium on how DADT breeds secrecy and mental anguish inside the military and, theoretically, can result in acts like these. But let’s be clear: Murder is murder, with DADT in place or not. Even if the military one day lets gays serve openly, closeted soldiers won’t disappear for the same reasons gay civilians still hide their sexuality.
Alas, we’ve got more questions than answers at this point.
TJ
I hate to sound like I’m forwarding rumors, but I live in San Diego and heard this exact story– that Provost was killed by a closeted, Married lover– from a decently-ranked Officer in the Navy who knew Provost personally. It sounds a lot more plausible to me.
Cam
When you have a policy in place that lets people know the military doesn’t consider gays to be full humans, you cannot act surprised when people don’t treat them as full humans.
Dave
I heard the same thing TJ. My ex was stationed at Pendleton.
Gillian Bellaver
You have got to be kidding me. August Provost’s family DOES NOT make any such claims about his murder. This is beyond ridiculous. One estranged aunt is enjoying her moment in the spotlight after the murder of her nephew, and she becomes the family’s spokesperson? I understand you have a hungry agenda you’re trying to feed, but honestly, this post goes way beyond irresponsibility (as do a few of your others on the subject). I wonder if you’ll apologize for spreading such unfounded, shot-in-the-dark, let’s-see-what-sticks-to-the-wall theories when his killer is charged. I said it on another thread, but August Provost desereves much better than the movie-of-the-week plotlines you’re developing.
Cam
@Gillian Bellaver: if youa re going to get mad at this blog and accusing it of making unsupported conclusions based on flimsy testimony, then you should back up your statement. Is this aunt really estranged? How do you know? If she is wrong then why isn’t the family correcting the statement?
galefan2004
The take I have on this is that if this indeed the case, that he was killed by a closeted sailor who didn’t want to be outed, then it is quite clear to me that this murder was quite personal in nature. I don’t know how you can cling to it as a hate crime if you can easily prove that Provost wasn’t singled out because he was gay but instead because he was involved in an unhealthy relationship with a maniac.
On another note, when are we going to give this family and this man the service that he deserves and put together a nationwide memorial service like we did for Mathew.
galefan2004
@Cam: I kind of have to agree 100% with you on that point.
Mike
Nope! August was killed because he stopped a guy and his non military cousin from coming on base. The one guy had been resently speaking about burning a hovercraft.
My friend August wouldn’t let them on base and paid the consequences. Please quit reducing his life to a gay/straight issue. He was a sailor first and foremost and was protecting our country!!!
Don’t use my friend for your agenda!! He was and is a hero!!
Mike
Nope! August was killed because he stopped a guy and his non military cousin from coming on base. The one guy had been resently speaking about burning a hovercraft.
My friend August wouldn’t let them on base and paid the consequences. Please quit reducing his life to a gay/straight issue. He was a sailor first and foremost and was protecting our country!!!
Don’t use my friend for your agenda!! He was and is a hero!!
=”#comment-194533″>TJ:
Cam
@Mike:
And you know this story how? Are you in the military investagatory team? Are you saying that two guys were able to subdue a trained soldier with a gun, then burn the body? I’m sorry, but burning and the other things make this seem like a MUCH more personal crime than two guys randomly stopped while trying to get on base. What is your source?
asa1973
@galefan2004: On this one, I agree with you, galefan2004.
Gillian Bellaver
@Cam: “… accusing (this blog) of making unsupported conclusions based on flimsy testimony, then you should back up your statement.” Uh, they ARE “unsupported conclusions,” aren’t they? How much more clear can it be? Do you not think that such “unsupported conclusions” could have ramifications on an investigation (and later prosecution) of this crime, however it plays out? Good god, how much more simply would you need it broken down? And when I question the validity of the “information” that’s being posted, you ask, “Is this aunt really estranged? How do you know? If she is wrong then why isn’t the family correcting the statement?” Finally, someone **almost** getting to the base of the “family’s allegations.” August has immediate family members, sisters and a mother. Their silence during the investigation of the brutal and tragic murder of their brother/son should be very telling. Do you think perhaps they want the investigation to be done fully and correctly, to ensure the prosecution of the murderer/s is successful.
TANK
this could have very well been domestic violence. DADT and the navy will make sure justice won’t ever be served.
galefan2004
@Gillian Bellaver: I understand where you are coming from but you are wrong. For starters, we have a system in this country called jury selection. In that system one of the first things that throws people off of the jury is ANY prior knowledge (even innuendo) of the case. Also, investigators are not going to come to QT and read this theory and think to themselves that it must be the case. Chances are QT got this from a source or sources that desired to remain anonymous and because of that fact reported it as rumor instead of fact. Time will tell how true this actually turns out to be, but it will not hamper the investigation/prosecution.
I haven’t seen one of my aunt’s in about 9 years. She lives in RI and I live in OH. The average person could look at that from the outside and say that she is an “estranged aunt” who “all but disappeared” and only “came to the scene to make a name for herself” if anything like this happened. Did it ever occur to her that the aunt is actually close to the family and the reason the rest of the family doesn’t speak is because its to painful for them to do so and therefore they asked the aunt to handle the press that is normally less than sympathetic about anything.
Mike
I work at the facility. Yes two guys can easily subdue a trained soldier (The one under arrest was a soldier)especially when guns are involved.
You know how they caught the guy? He left the gas can with his fingerprints behind. The word is that August wouldn’t let them on base and they went off. The gas was to burn the hovercraft.
afrolito
I’m loving all of this untrained CSI conjecture based on ZERO personal knowledge of the case. LOL!
emceebee
If this was in TV world Leeroy Jethro Gibbs would have this sorted out in a jiffy.
It’s a case that could be used to strengthen the case for getting rid of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.
Cam
@afrolito: you said “I’m loving all of this untrained CSI conjecture based on ZERO personal knowledge of the case. LOL!”
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In fairness I’ve seen you, on this blog, make judgements about people’s entire lives based on once sentance that they write. So to mock people for making assumptions about a situation that has been all over the news for days seems a bit hypocritical don’t you think?
Mrs. Johnson-Jones
@Mike: hello august is my first cousin and alot of things r being said about how he died. can u tell me what u have heard about his death. just call me KJ i don’t want anyone on here to no my name r try and find me.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
Where can I get that hat?
b wright
Unfortuately I just found out about August today. I have a very close relative that is homosexual and if anything of this nature would have happened to him I would be terrified. I think no matter what your sexual prefrence may be if you are man enough to stand up for America and decide to serve and protect your country your country should be able to protect you as well. A man sexuality does not dictate the man. August and I attended college together and he always kept a smile on my face even when I was down. If I ever had a question or needed help he was there or was able to tell were I could get help if he didn’t know what to do. August will always be remembered in my heart! I send my condolences to his family and friends. I hope however did this crime is punished and the Provost family gets justice. August Provost, no matter what his intentions, should not have had to die in such a horrible manner. When the man that killed him has to pay the price for his actions then whatever August may have had to say about him may not seem as bad. As a people we are supposed to learn at an early age to think about the consequences of our actions before we do something. August was someones child, cousin, brother, nephew, and friend and now he has been taken away for selfish and unrulely reason. So to the person how has done this hateful crime I really hope you are prayed up cause God is who you have to deal with on judgement day.
your boy
R.I.P CAMPOS