NCIS investigates the death of retired Major General William Mullen

NCIS has launched an investigation into the death of a retired major general whose body was found at a Marine Corps base in California, officials said Tuesday.

Major General William Mullen, 59, was found dead Saturday at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, the San Bernardino County coroner’s office said.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service said Tuesday that Mullen’s death was being investigated according to protocol, but did not provide further details about his demise.

“I can confirm that NCIS is thoroughly investigating the death of retired Major General William Mullen, as we do with all non-combat, non-medical deaths involving Navy and USMC personnel, military and associated civilians,” NCIS Public Relations Specialist Darwin Lam said in a statement.

“Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS will not make any further comment while the investigation is ongoing,” he added.

According to the Marine Corps, Mullen served as commanding general for the Training and Education Command at the base before retiring in 2020.

Mullen served a total of 34 years in the military, including deployments to the Middle East and leading a counter-drug mission in California’s Los Padres National Forest.

From 1999 to 2001, he also served as aide-de-camp to then-President Bill Clinton in the Marine Corps.

Major General Thomas Savage, commander of Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, described Mullen as a pillar of the base.

“Major General Mullen’s dedicated service to our nation and the Marine Corps will always be remembered,” Savage told the Los Angeles Times. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”