Soldier's family wrongly informed of death

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A New York state couple say they are searching for answers after they were mistakenly told their son had died serving in Afghanistan.

Raymond and Robin Jasper of Niagara Falls said they received a phone call Sunday from a civilian liaison in Duluth, Minn., they had previously spoken with informing them that their son, Army Sgt. Jesse Jasper, 26, had been killed in Afghanistan during the weekend, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News reported Wednesday.

The couple said they returned home and began spreading word of their son's death to family and friends. However, they said a Facebook posting in memorial of Jesse caught the attention of his girlfriend, who immediately called the soldier's parents.

"She said, 'He's not dead, he's not dead, I just talked to him (earlier Sunday). I just got off the phone with him,'" Robin Jasper said. The Jaspers said they called an Army captain who knew their son and confirmed he was alive and well.

She said she talked with her son Monday and he expressed anger about what happened and planned to address the matter with his commander.

The family also is demanding answers from the military and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has voiced his support for the Jaspers.