When they found Adrian Martinez in his room at Schofield Barracks, his things had already been packed in boxes. His trip to Houston—paid for with government funds—was booked: United Airlines Flight 252, scheduled to depart Honolulu two days later on October 18, 2024, and arrive the following morning at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. His parents and brother planned to be outside Terminal C to welcome him home.
He was only 22, with heavy eyelids, an angular face, and curly black hair. He stood 5 feet, 11 inches tall, but in photos, his slender body swam inside his dark blue uniform. Long sleeves covered tattoos, including the words “All my heroes are dead” on his left forearm.
