TWO Colchester families are supporting each other after hearing how a loved one died in Afghanistan.
Nine months to the day after Colour Serjeant Kevin Fortuna, 36, died on patrol, Essex Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray ruled he was unlawfully killed while on active service.
C Sjt Fortuna, of A Company, 1st Battalion, The Rifles, lived in Lexden, Colchester, with his wife Nia.
On May 23 last year, he was commanding a patrol in Helmand Province when he stepped on a bomb and died of blast injuries within minutes.
Wife Nia, was joined at the inquest at Chelmsford Council earlier by her parents Mike and Sue Jackson, Kevin’s mother Sue and brother Chris.
Several of those on patrol when he died spoke in glowing terms about his bravery, high standards and professionalism.
See the full story in Friday's Gazette and Essex County Standard.
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