NCO from base dies of unknown causes

Staff Sergeant Krystal Melissa Ballard, 27, assigned to the 366th Fighter Wing died July 26.

Sgt. Ballard, a budget analyst for the 366th Comptroller Squadron, was first seen at Elmore County hospital July 25, before being transferred to St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise where she later passed away.

She leaves behind a husband.

"This tragic event is undoubtedly affecting us all," said Col. Ron Buckley, 366th Fighter Wing commander. "Sgt. Ballard was a valued member of our team, and losing a member of the Gunfighters is like losing a member of our family, and this will be felt for some time."

The cause of death is unknown at this time.

A preliminary autopsy conducted by the Ada County Coroner's Office was inconclusive, but Coroner Erwin Sonneberg said there was nothing suspicious to indicate her death was the result of a crime. He said his office was checking out any possible connection with some elective surgery she had undergone a few days before her death.

An Air Force statement said the case was under investigation. City police have not been involved in the matter, however.