Green Beret gunned down by his best friend, a Delta Operator

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The recent deaths of Army Delta Force member William J. Lavigne and Army Veteran Timothy Dumas are being investigated as homicides. Their deaths have brought attention back to another fatal shooting Lavigne was involved in, the shooting of his best friend and Special Forces soldier Mark Leshikar. Jack Murphy takes us into the life and death of Mark Leshikar, we talk with his sister and widow uncovering details never before revealed about this mysterious case. Missing evidence, redacted reports, and a witness who's only now able to speak out.
This episode is brought to you by Navy Federal Credit Union. Leave us a review and share this episode. Follow us on Twitter! Here's a link to Jack's original article.
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[@samdherring]

"our military tends to take better care of the machinery that comes back than the men" Sums it up succinctly.

[@tonyfknb3896]

The machinery costs millions and millions of dollars. The men sadly are just replaceable

[@NedWasHere94]

Even worse considering how the military treats its equipment.

[@LilSebastian_]

Citizens and the government have learned that it’s cheaper to worship veterans than it is to take care of them

[@sherryblanton2029]

@@LilSebastian_Oh How SAD! Our young men are considered easier and cheaper to replace than machines! There is nothing of GOD left in our government…if there ever was any!

[@planeandsimplexplained]

@@tonyfknb3896It’s the opposite. Machines are replaceable, trained personnel with experience are not.

[@josephsmith3908]

We have had these guys in a 20 + yr hot war in 7 + countries guys that have been on 20 deployments 1500 combat missions and we don't take care of their mental health

[@ethandixon6580]

So, my theory: Mark knew something about Billy that was really bad (possibly war crimes or something equally heavy Billy committed, or perhaps that all or a good part of Delta Force was guilty of) and was going to blow the whistle. Billy, whether under the influence of drugs or just in a fit of rage, murders Mark and does a shit job covering his ass but the Big Army covers it for him and kills any investigation into it because they know that if there was any truth that came out of Billy's motive, it would indict the DoD/Army of being either complicit with or flat out ordering/encouraging said war crimes. Billy is killed later by Green Beret buddies of Mark as revenge for their friend that Billy fucking murdered (there is a lot of culture in Special Forces groups that they tend to take care of and police their own very hard) and the Army also kills any investigation into that because again if any investigation is done, then it could mean the lid is blown on their transgressions. Why else would they not look into the killing of a seasoned Delta Force operator they already stuck their neck out protecting when it happened literally on base

[@KnowledgeIsWealth1]

Yikes this is wild!

[@ethandixon6580]

@johnm249 true but it is especially prevalent in SF community

[@MrJamezJ]

This is not beyond the realm of possibility

[@KC-UT4rmAZ]

I would agree 100% but could add the other possibility is it wasn’t Mark’s SF buddies/teammates that killed Billy. But it was whatever Billy was involved in that got him killed/killed him. Either possibility is just as plausible as the other I think.

[@forwardghost_]

My sources say they were having an affair/were gay.

[@LegendExpressProject]

Guys this is obviously a very personal matter between these guys that we will never know

[@nicholaswandahsega4377]

Thank you & by the way, this is Billy's little sister. Cassie Lavigne

[@wisdomit429]

Sometimes things go way off the rails and our loyalty to the men beside us can take us places we never thought we would go.

[@aphunt12]

The sister is a little “too understanding”. I don’t understand how someone can kill your brother IN FRONT of your nieces and still justify it

[@nicholaswandahsega4377]

Shit, idk how she didn't know what otc was called or meant or even fucking stood for! Get off the air

[@MrJamezJ]

Agreed

[@joesphmurphy4013]

This story failed to really address the issue whether they were involved in drugs and what really happened out there on post; two murders!

[@d.w.w.sweetz3008]

Could be a love triangle gone wrong also.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

Could be both love triangle and nefarious business dealings.

[@emojiking8580]

I'm Jack Murphy & and I Graduated Marine Scout Sniper School 2/24/79 on my 20th birthday !!!

[@jmurphy5059]

@emojiking8580🇺🇸. A solid accomplishment brother, especially at that time, post RVN ! Here’s health to you and yours ! Jack Murphy (Boston) USMC 72-74 “Semper Fi”

[@thetruth1862]

Drug or weapon deal gone wrong, and a payback hit rolled in to one sealed package

[@11ride4life]

My first thought was selling weapons for drug money.

[@alexmillo7915]

This was excellent work.

[@cesarbolet39]

Psychopathy involved, then sounds like payback hit to me.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

Or cover up.

[@jeffrachau3920]

This so tragic. I don't believe this is isolated,either. Bottom line is,constant deployments and combat year in and year out is not healthy by any means. Who among us would not fall into addiction under these circumstances? It's time to put the Ferrari back in the garage,so to speak. These guys need a break from war. God bless all who serve.

[@rj8183]

Yeah but SF or CAG doesnt operate like regular Army that the public sees but CONFLICTS not WAR. Sort of like a few stitches vs a full operation if that makes sense.

[@jeffrachau3920]

@@rj8183 Gotcha. I'm a civilian and don't understand the fine print,so to speak.

[@rj8183]

@@jeffrachau3920 This would take up alot of time to explain how the CAG world is for one they change the way they operate because of the fact they HAVE TO REMAIN INsuch a way that its hard and almost impossible to figure them out but when you do hear about them something went wrong Lets just say that. i e. This stuff contrary to belief they are SUPER PROFESSIONAL.

[@jeffrachau3920]

@@rj8183 I get what your saying and I completely agree that they are super professional but they are overused. And America relies on all facets of Special Forces way too much. The entire planet is off the charts about it and that isn't right. Keep it short and sweet(deployments). When Obama was in office he practically doubled the size of all Special Forces. Some people thought that was great. I did not. Before I continue,let me clear one thing up. I'm a civilian and not a former Ranger,Green Beret,Seal or Delta Force or anything. Just an average American with an eye toward WW2 history and the modern military as well. Back to my point,doubling the size of these units allows politicians to play it both ways and that's stupid. It's cheaper to send SF types instead of regular units? How do we measure the cost in human lives? It's cheaper for a Special Forces soldier to die than a plain old grunt? That's impossible. Some branches of our government still deny Delta Force even exist,while in the the next sentence saying they have an unlimited budget. The SF training is excellent and uncompromising-the way it should be. But more bodies isn't the answer. Not everyone can be in the group. We need a strong REGULAR army,navy,coast guard,Marines and air force too. Keep things simple. Complicating things isn't the answer,either. And every American who serves needs help adjusting to civilian life,no matter what,and should never be ashamed to ask for help!

[@rj8183]

@@dinow3248 Served alongside? What mos?

[@hydjrasierra1557]

This whole deal is weird...

[@guydegregg6869]

Survivors guilt crippled me for a long time , It never goes away but I learned to cope with it with help and support from fellow Veterans, the VA hotline is another good option if you're having problems.

[@TheChinchillaArmy]

I’m surprised this never gained any media traction. I first heard about it on Reddit but I thought it was a freak incident. Insane in all the ways. But I guess bad publicity in SF is the last thing the military needs.

[@aniquinstark4347]

Stories like this are actively suppressed by the federal government.

[@GATOR_MCLUSKY]

its best to leave it alone

[@guydegregg6869]

I just want to thank Stars and Stripes, it was a news paper back then and I could count on it once a week, helped me keep my sanity especially on the DMZ. God bless. Sgt D

[@BirdDawg1]

That was heavy. Had to listen twice. Very well done, great work.

[@sherryblanton2029]

I will have to listen again as well!

[@justinsirois4950]

What a great story, I remember when it came out and there were no details, thank you for sharing as much as possible! Is there any more info into the two murders of the CAG guys?

[@guydegregg6869]

Those poor girls. What a tragedy.

[@e.tphone9039]

He set his best friend up so he could kill him. taking the weapon apart and doing shit like that he set him up.

[@deenixon3225]

Frankly, it sounds like people are making excuses for murderers. A joke. It’s propostrous that there is an attempt to brush events like this away because someone spent time in “spec-ops” It’s inexcusable. Period. Stop that nonsense.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

Sure, but who’s going to do this job? You? Mr. Conscious? Problem with Spec ops over the past two decades has been recruiting and pushing guys in the meat grinder on quick turnover deployments. Almost always a direct action mission involving raids and neutralizing targets. Most normal ones don’t last over four to six years tour. Others, well they are the psychopaths the politicians need to their bidding.

[@boxerwayne6660]

since the inception of the SAS in 1942 the SAS has never murdered their own comrades. Hence the SAS is the best tier 1 unit in the world.

[@yamashitakazuo4969]

Some of them are being charged/accused with war crimes allegedly.

[@carlbailey2273]

Damn hope they are not learning bad things from the American special forces. ​@@yamashitakazuo4969

[@Dirk-my2zf]

SAS is a joke.

[@williamtriplett]

No man I disagree about SAS being the best don't get me wrong they are one of yhe best definitely top 4 buy delta is the best fighting force there is in my opinion

[@dbohler8640]

Mark’s wife’s story doesn’t make sense. I think she is hiding something too. Seems to me the strange text messages that Billy was sending about Mark’s paranoia was him building up justification for shooting him. Why is it not weird that the bachelor feels comfortable freely texting a married woman and criticizing her husband? It’s weird that her car “broke down” no details; and that she declined having her husband picking her up. Why couldn’t he have brought their daughter with him? Theory: she and Billy were having an affair. She was free to screw around until Mark got his new desk assignment. I think she knew Billy was going to kill him so they could be together.

[@TJ_CrayonBeltFeeder]

Holy shit. You think?

[@MJ-fj9yv]

lots of affairs happen in that little community. Also, they usually call the teammates first to wrangle the dude in.

[@dbohler8640]

@@TJ_CrayonBeltFeeder all the time

[@TJ_CrayonBeltFeeder]

@dbohler8640 why wouldn’t they just divorce?

[@MJ-fj9yv]

@@TJ_CrayonBeltFeeder it is expensive, the Dependapotamus gets half of everything along with the house and at least one car.

[@christosantonopoulos2018]

WTF MAN YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE BROTHERS SO HAS THIS ALL BEEN RESOLVED BY MILITARY POLICE

[@cm2274]

Never will be.

[@ralphalvarez5465]

Military Police? They couldn't find their a** with both hands! Clown show 🤡🤡 Had a MP E4 threaten me in the e/r of Fort Knox while getting stitches. Told him "anytime" and then the doctor ordered him out of the e/r.

[@lindabooker7199]

It definitely was not related to his mental state. This story gets very deep and it's obvious bc so much is covered up and the guy who killed him was later murdered long with an officer ON BASE which was also covered up

[@utbr2]

Great podcast of a tragic event that didn't need to happen. People need to know they can "tap out" and request and get the medical help they need to recover.

[@davidmiles870]

If that drone could speak freely…

[@paratrooperlane7022]

It had to do with Drugs, a lot of drugs floating in and around Bragg.

[@gkvscq]

Lots of crackheads and even more trying to make money off them

[@censorthis-uu6cc]

Drugs & humans. The latter info is heavily suppressed.

[@chrisfraser9220]

Curious how the first comment was deleted.

[@robertmitchell8728]

The question that keeps coming to me, when I hear these stories, or meet these people. Is why most seem to be able to deal with their service, but a large minority can't? Is it the way they think about it? Did they cross their personal moral boundry? Do they have an unrealistic exspectation of what war can be? I don't know the answer. But, I think studing those that seem to be able to deal with the stresses, an horrors may help teach us how to help those that can't. Or maybe teach us who can handle the job better. I don't know, what do you guys think?

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

they are losers like the rest of the military

[@sleeplessvirus]

She shouldn’t second guess herself, if she had made a different decision she might have lost her children

[@andyroberts805]

My guess is that Mark either knew something about or owed money to the cartels. Billy was threatened by the cartels that he’d carry out the hit on mark or it would be his family. Drugs were a huge part of all this.

[@sofspecialforces1st488]

rest in peace

[@danm.bagley5030]

Special Operations has had many incidents over the years dating back to the Vietnam era that are truly buzzard. It's a high stress environment that takes a toll on just about everyone in one way or another.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

You are thinking of it as a normal person. The bigger issue is being on the psychopathy spectrum, these guys love stress as it gives them the edge but it also brings out the psychopaths who can’t control themselves anymore.

[@GATOR_MCLUSKY]

theres some issues im sorry i mean he was dawned 20th ? i mean thats a national guard unit

[@joetaylor9998]

Weird.

[@LilSebastian_]

William and the veterans death will never be solved because no one wants it solved…. Delta took their trash out to the street.

[@perryscott4204]

Exactly

[@nickh6684]

When you ride for the brand you protect the brand.

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

they are all trash.... cant even win a war

[@nicholaswandahsega4377]

This is Billy's baby sister, Cassie.. say something to me cuz I was there after he had to put Mark down.. long story short, he told me everything so keep that shit in the streets where it belongs. Have a blessed new year and let's all just stop this world war & live life as life is to live, in peace ✌️

[@GATOR_MCLUSKY]

@@nicholaswandahsega4377 im not gonna say nothin out of the way but theres no way in the world u ever convince me kenneth quick killed billy .loaded him up took him to a damn military base which he would not know how to get around coming in the back way which the compund is near as well.. ive put a bunch of it together and not here say...

[@user-rc4bs4ke7o]

"Maybe he should have married Billy" soind like another friend or Dorothy situation?

[@joshuawood9055]

Daaaang all of this happened in Georgia? Excluding the ft Bragg thing.

[@97VobraOwner]

What? It was all in NC ...

[@joshuawood9055]

@@97VobraOwner I said excluding ft Bragg.

[@97VobraOwner]

@@joshuawood9055 What part happned in Georiga? Im confused.

[@tank5062]

War is a bitch

[@Asianconda]

I'm trying to understand the dog training part. My brain 🧠 can't. I was a vet tech in the army 🪖so why didn't she say anything to her husband about the guy calling her? Duh you should've said something. Bring the kids with him

[@roypaulcarter4654]

The dog thing. Watch John wick 3 and you will get it.

[@know-body2519]

Mormons?

[@pudoinahemi8142]

I think billy smashed his wife😂

[@pudoinahemi8142]

@Yo Joe clapped his wife then smoked him while his kids was there straight sob story😂

[@myworldofsports1376]

If you sleep with a team members wife in the unit it’s death according to the show the unit. Maybe false but Hollywood has a way to get info.

[@markwurz8577]

@@pudoinahemi8142 you’re so edgy bro…

[@Millennial87]

This shit isn't a laughing matter, you fuck!

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

so high speed but cant win a war

[@alkatib100]

The statement about billy @1401 that he was remorseful about having to kill 12 y/o and have dogs eat humans while alive. Very true of a lot of veterans who returned from Vietnam and other immoral wars for profit wars like Iraq and Afghanistan wars the war industry had destroyed this men life’s no wonder that we have a very high vet suicidal rate. It’s sad that both parties go to war to line their pockets with our tax money

[@danm.bagley5030]

All war is insane. It's very sad what happened. It's sad you have to inject bullshit into a very sad event.