THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 1996 TAG: 9610290021
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: LURAY LENGTH: 27 lines
A body discovered in Shenandoah National Park is believed to be that of a Foreign Service officer investigated for possibly mishandling Navy missile secrets, the Washington Post reported Monday.
The body, which had a single gunshot wound to the head, had the identification papers of James Schneider, 27, park spokeswoman Lyn Rothgeb said. A handgun and suicide note were found nearby.
Schneider, a State Department employee, vanished Aug. 30 and his rented car was found in the park a week later. But a search found nothing until a hiker found the body Saturday in a rocky area.
Schneider served on the guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville for three years before he was honorably discharged in June 1995. He had detailed knowledge of the missiles, radar and defenses, the Post quoted sources as saying.
Schneider's application to work at the CIA in April 1995 was rejected after he failed a routine lie-detector test when asked whether he had discussed classified information with foreign nationals while in the Navy, the Post said.
An autopsy will be performed to identify the body. by CNB