Fort Riley soldier found dead in barracks

The body of a 19-year-old soldier who died under mysterious circumstances in Kansas last week will be escorted home to Ukiah late Thursday.

Pfc. John W. Digrazia was found dead in his barracks room at Fort Riley, Kansas, July 23.

Army officials would not divulge how he died and a family member said Monday the family has not been told about the circumstances surrounding his death.

The case is under investigation, Army officials said.

Digrazia was a cavalry scout assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment. He was awaiting deployment to Iraq in August, according to an obituary notice prepared by his family.

Digrazia was born July 20, 1990 in Ukiah. He graduated from Ukiah High School in 2008. He went for training to Fort Knox, Kentucky following graduation from high school. He graduated from the cavalry training in October and then assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas.

Digrazia is survived by his parents, Deborah and Dominic Digrazia; sisters Deia Randall and Melissa Digrazia; brothers Matthew Digrazia and Josh Randall; and grandfathers Hal Smith and Arthur Digrazia.

A funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3 at the Eversole Mortuary in Ukiah. A viewing will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon until 8 p.m. Sunday.

Digrazia will be buried in the national cemetery in Dixon.