The U.S. Navy has charged Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Olsen with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in connection with the death of his wife, Jessica Olsen, whose body was discovered in a hotel room in Fukuoka, Japan.

The charges were announced Wednesday following a preliminary Article 32 hearing held at Naval Base San Diego, California, on May 7.

Cmdr. Paul Macapagal, spokesperson for the U.S. Naval Forces Japan, confirmed the formal charges and stressed the importance of due process.

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“We are unable to comment further at this time due to the ongoing litigation,” Macapagal said in a statement.

“The Navy is committed to ensuring the military justice system is fair and impartial, and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

The tragic discovery was made on October 28, 2024, when local police were alerted by hotel staff who had concerns about one of the rooms.

Officers from the Fukuoka Prefectural Police found Jessica Olsen, 37, unresponsive and bleeding in the hotel room.

The presence of blood and circumstances at the scene led authorities to treat the case as a suspected homicide.

Japanese media, along with Stars and Stripes, reported that local authorities acted quickly to notify U.S. military investigators after discovering signs that the death may have involved foul play.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) launched an immediate probe into the incident in coordination with Japanese law enforcement.

“Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS will not comment further at this time,” the agency said in an emailed statement.

Christopher Olsen, originally from Florida, joined the U.S. Navy in 2014 and rose through the ranks over the next decade.

He was promoted to lieutenant commander on September 1, 2024, less than two months before the incident.

At the time of the alleged crime, he was stationed with Naval Surface Group Southwest in San Diego, California.

As proceedings move forward, the Navy’s Office of Special Trial Counsel will determine whether Olsen will face a court-martial.

This next step could initiate a formal trial within the military justice system, which handles service member misconduct and serious crimes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

Jessica Olsen’s death has raised broader questions about domestic violence in military families, especially those stationed abroad.

While the Navy has not released additional details about the couple’s relationship or any previous incidents, advocacy groups have expressed concern about the vulnerability of military spouses and the challenges they face in reporting abuse while living overseas.

Though the case remains under investigation, the Navy has emphasized its commitment to justice and transparency, while balancing the need to protect the legal rights of the accused.

“The Navy is committed to ensuring the military justice system is fair and impartial,” Macapagal reiterated. “The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

As of now, Lt. Cmdr. Olsen remains under military jurisdiction and has not entered a plea.

The timeline for a potential trial has yet to be established, pending the decision of the Office of Special Trial Counsel.

The death of Jessica Olsen marks a deeply somber chapter for both the U.S. military community and the families stationed overseas.

Friends and family have not yet publicly commented, but the ongoing investigation continues to draw attention as the Navy seeks accountability in the tragic loss of life.