The veteran may have had mental and alcohol problems, but the death is being ruled accidental.

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Homeless veteran found dead on York VA grounds

The Daily News Journal

The body of an apparently homeless veteran was found Sunday afternoon at York VA Medical Center after the man apparently fell and sustained an injury, a sheriff’s official said.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 1:21 p.m. Sunday afternoon at York VA where the body of Christopher Pine was found.

Pine, born in 1961, was found outside one of the abandoned shop buildings where veterans and some homeless people are known to gather and was possibly homeless himself, authorities said.

“He fell down a little embankment and cut his hand,” said Sheriff’s Maj. Chuck Thomas. “We are awaiting final word from the state, but there doesn’t appear to be any foul play.”

Thomas said the man have had mental and alcohol problems, but the death is being ruled accidental.

The man may have broken his ankle when he fell, and he also cut his hand on some glass.

Heat and the man’s medical condition may have also contributed to his death, Thomas said.

“(Pine) was a veteran who received care at some point from the Tennessee Valley Health Care System,” said Chris Conklin, York Medical VA spokesperson.

It was not clear if Pine was a patient at the time of his death.

Sheriff’s Detectives Randy Groce and Steve Brown investigated the scene.

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TOPICS: veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Murfreesboro, body, homeless