State Department says no foul play is suspected in death of US embassy staffer in Kyiv

The State Department confirmed on Wednesday that there was no foul play suspected in the death of a United States embassy staffer that was found dead in Kyiv, Ukraine on Tuesday.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller did not disclose the name of the male staffer, or the cause of his death, but said the employee was working “under chief of mission authority” at the time.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of our colleague,” Miller said in a press briefing reported by The Hill. “I hate to even bring this up, but I know sometimes conspiracy theories spin out of control … It is our understanding he died of natural causes and there is no sign of foul play.”

Ukrainian publication Strana UA reported that the staffer's body was found in a Hilton hotel, and had no signs of bodily injury. The door to the hotel room was also locked at the time, according to The New Voice of Ukraine.

Strana UA also reported that no autopsy was performed on the staffer, and his body has been transported to the U.S. embassy. The man allegedly had a history of high cholesterol, but it is not clear if that contributed to his death. 

The man was just one of more than 100 embassy staffers and military personnel currently stationed in Ukraine, according to the Daily Mail.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.