Does anyone here think there could have been a correlation between the two cases? They were both in the army, and the army has done little to help with the investigation into their fates. I think they were both involved in similar covert activities, but might have made it seem like a bigger deal than it actually was.

Either way, these two cases always intrigued me especially since I plan to join the army after I finish college. Anyone else intrigued by these cases?

Does anyone here think there could have been a correlation between the two cases? They were both in the army, and the army has done little to help with the investigation into their fates. I think they were both involved in similar covert activities, but might have made it seem like a bigger deal than it actually was.

Either way, these two cases always intrigued me especially since I plan to join the army after I finish college. Anyone else intrigued by these cases?

No. I think Lankford's activities were actual but not nearly as covert as the UM segment attempted to recreate them, and Burgwinkel completely fabricated his entire tale. The Army can't do anymore because there's nothing more to do anything with. I've always felt the Hargrove/Carmichael and Whipkey cases were much more disturbing and believable examples of an alleged Army coverup.

Are you enrolled in an ROTC program at your college or do you plan on trying to get an OCS slot? I'm an Army Reserve officer, so if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a pm.

Wasn't Chad Lankford assigned to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama? I do agree with Meg the Egg that while I do believe that Lankford's activities were real, that they were over dramatized for ratings purposes by UM. But I have always thought Lankford was murdered that he didn't kill himself, but that is just an opinion.

As for Burgwinkel, well, yes I do feel he made up what he was doing, now what happened to him I do not know? But yeah, I feel it was all in his head and that it made him feel important rather than being what he felt was a lowly Army cook. I found Burgwinkel's girlfriend on facebook although I did not attempt to contact her. However she appears to be doing pretty well for herself these days and it is a high ranking business position at a company out in the Bay Area.

Wasn't Chad Lankford assigned to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama? I do agree with Meg the Egg that while I do believe that Lankford's activities were real, that they were over dramatized for ratings purposes by UM. But I have always thought Lankford was murdered that he didn't kill himself, but that is just an opinion.

Yeah, that's where he was. I had a friend years ago that went there for her first assignment. Of course this case was the first thing I thought of.

Honestly,in my humble opinion, both deaths were elaborate suicides.

In Chad Lankford's this is especially obvious by the fact that his radio armband and military ID were found separate from his body. There would be no reason for this equipment to be found the distance that it was from his body unless it been placed there.

While there's no way of knowing 100% that he did kill himself without a detailed mental and emotional evaluation of him, the most likely scenario is that SPC Lankford had a vivid imagination and a desire to be a hero.For whatever reason he was unable to accomplish that using traditional methods and decided to undertake a bizarre ruse that culminated in his suicide.

One of the things that I really dislike about Unsolved Mysteries, is that they take cases that are obvious suicides and by leaving out crucial details about the person portrayed in that person's personal life, they create a "mystery" where one doesn't exist.

Honestly,in my humble opinion, both deaths were elaborate suicides.

In Chad Lankford's this is especially obvious by the fact that his radio armband and military ID were found separate from his body. There would be no reason for this equipment to be found the distance that it was from his body unless it been placed there.

While there's no way of knowing 100% that he did kill himself without a detailed mental and emotional evaluation of him, the most likely scenario is that SPC Lankford had a vivid imagination and a desire to be a hero.For whatever reason he was unable to accomplish that using traditional methods and decided to undertake a bizarre ruse that culminated in his suicide.

One of the things that I really dislike about Unsolved Mysteries, is that they take cases that are obvious suicides and by leaving out crucial details about the person portrayed in that person's personal life, they create a "mystery" where one doesn't exist.
I think UM does a good job of overplaying their military segments. They always seem to add intrigue or the element of secret. I am in the armed services and have devoted 8 years and many more to come. A lot of people have false perceptions about the military. It's clear that UM is on that same track at times. If these boys were part of an operation it was of their own accord and they were involved with the wrong crowd. their parents may have a tough time dealing with the death as anyone would.

I'm not familiar with the case other than Justin's,but I do feel he had a partner in crime,and I wonder who it is or maybe was,and if that person was reported missing as well..likely so,and was it around the same time Justin went missing? jat.I would think LE could make some connection to whom Justin was in cahoots with via missing persons,then maybe they could figure this whole thing out.

Honestly,in my humble opinion, both deaths were elaborate suicides.

In Chad Lankford's this is especially obvious by the fact that his radio armband and military ID were found separate from his body. There would be no reason for this equipment to be found the distance that it was from his body unless it been placed there.

While there's no way of knowing 100% that he did kill himself without a detailed mental and emotional evaluation of him, the most likely scenario is that SPC Lankford had a vivid imagination and a desire to be a hero.For whatever reason he was unable to accomplish that using traditional methods and decided to undertake a bizarre ruse that culminated in his suicide.

One of the things that I really dislike about Unsolved Mysteries, is that they take cases that are obvious suicides and by leaving out crucial details about the person portrayed in that person's personal life, they create a "mystery" where one doesn't exist.
I thought about that with Justin's case,but the fact he bought 2 guns (of course it only takes one to kill yourself) and was making trips back and forth to Monterrey,obviously meeting with someone (the guy who called about the 'mission'?) makes me think he had a partner in crime,and that's what it was all about.of course whatever happened to him is still a mystery.

I thought about that with Justin's case,but the fact he bought 2 guns (of course it only takes one to kill yourself) and was making trips back and forth to Monterrey,obviously meeting with someone (the guy who called about the 'mission'?) makes me think he had a partner in crime,and that's what it was all about.of course whatever happened to him is still a mystery.
he was probably selling drugs...maybe bringing them onto the base...?

he was probably selling drugs...maybe bringing them onto the base...?
idk,he was demoted for shoplifting,I hadn't heard anything about bringing drugs onto base.
but yes,drugs would be a good guess for the trips,unless they got the guns to hold up someone or some place.Unfortunately after not being heard from for so long,it's likely whatver he was into got him an unmarked grave,unless he's really good at hiding,which he might be if he's outside of the country.I think that's a longshot though.

Re: the Chad Langford segment, I'm torn between thinking this was a legitimate suicide (as the Army attested), and on the flip side thinking it may have been a murder/cover-up.

Based on the segment, it does sound like CL was involved in undercover work that put him in dangerous situations & dealing with dangerous people. So, this may have led to his being killed & the scene made to look like an elaborate suicide.

Conversely, CL may have legitimately been overwrought due to the extreme stresses of his job, the end of his relationship with his gf (even though he broke this off himself), etc. - and because of this, things may have become too much for him.