Ex-Marine’s death attributed to stress disorder

MILWAUKEE (AP) – The Wisconsin family of a former Marine

sergeant who took his own life at Yellowstone National Park in

Wyoming says his death was due to a psychological disorder

affecting many veterans.

     Peter Kastner’s father, Larry, said Wednesday his son suffered

from post-traumatic stress disorder following his discharge from

the military in 2007. Kastner says his son’s life began to

deteriorate as he struggled with the disorder. Kastner and his

wife, Sara, who live in Chippewa Falls, Wis., had not heard from

their son in Oklahoma since late April. Then the Kastners received

word in late May that a car rented by their son was discovered

abandoned along a trail at Yellowstone.

     The body of the 25-year-old former Marine was found July 14 by

researchers working on Garnet Hill, a summit north of Tower

Junction.

     A study last year by the RAND Corp. estimated 20 percent of

returning veterans have symptoms of PTSD or major depression.