British Royal Navy Officer Found Dead on Warship

The British Royal Navy has confirmed the death of a female officer aboard the HMS Edinburgh, known as the Fortress of the Sea.

The officer has been identified as 26-year old Sara Hellawell, and was found dead on the type 42 destroyer on the 16th of June as the ship was moored in West Africa.  There is not a definitive report for cause of death, although there have been rumors that she committed suicide.    Hellawell’s body is being repatriated from Cape Town on Wednesday for her next of kin in Ampthill, Beds. 

Pictured:  the HMS Edinburgh

Hellawell was a deputy marine engineer office for the Royal Navy and on a seven-month tour aboard the Edinburgh taking part in a counter-piracy mission off of the West African coast.

A spokesman for the Navy said that their thoughts and sympathies are with Hellawell’s family.  They will continue to investigate this sad and tragic incident.