By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The family of a St. Louis Army private who died in Iraq nearly three years ago is asking for the investigation to be re-opened.
LaVena Johnson of Florissant died in July of 2005. The Army ruled her death a suicide.
But Johnson's family and supporters say the evidence points to sexual assault and murder.
Her father John Johnson says he suspects someone of a higher rank may be responsible.
"This is not even a cover-up any more," Johnson said. "It's in the conspiracy range because you've got a lot of people that jumped on this band wagon and you're not going to tell me they'd do that for a private."
John Johnson says he's spoken with Missouri Congressman William Lacy Clay.
A spokesman for Clay says the Congressman turned over materials to Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton, who is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and that the matter is under review.