Commander of CG Cutter Tahoma Found Dead

The death of a U.S. Coast Guard commander from Frisco, N.C., is under investigation, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

Cmdr. Keith Willis, 44, was found dead Sunday morning in his cabin aboard the cutter Tahoma, which was in its Kittery, Maine, homeport, a news release said.

His cause of death is still under investigation. His remains were taken ashore Sunday night by a 12-person honor guard. An autopsy will be performed in Augusta, Maine, to determine how he died, according to the news release.

Willis, the commanding officer of the Tahoma, is survived by his wife and two children.

He assumed command of the Tahoma in May 2007 and most recently before that served as the Coast Guard liaison officer to the commander of the U.S. Navy 2nd Fleet. He had also served as the assistant Coast Guard liaison officer at U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Joint Forces Command from August 2004 to August 2006.

Willis graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., in 1989 with a degree in government.

The Tahoma, a 270-foot medium endurance cutter, was most recently deployed off the New England coast, where it conducted various law enforcement and marine safety missions until returning to port Jan. 28.