HMCS Toronto is pictured in Halifax on Jan.14, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
January 05, 2014 - 2:40 PM
HALIFAX - The body of a Canadian warship crew member who was found dead while on shore leave in the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean will be returned to Halifax on Monday.
The Department of National Defence says a private repatriation ceremony for family and friends of Lt. Andrew F. Webster will take place at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport around 2 p.m.
Webster was serving on board HMCS Toronto, which has been part of counterterrorism and anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea for most of this year.
The military says Webster, a 15-year member of the Canadian Armed Forces, was found dead in his hotel room on Thursday afternoon.
Lt.-Col. Christian Lemay said an autopsy has been conducted by local police and another will be conducted by Canadian officials.
The military said his death was non-combat related and foul play is not suspected.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014