Ex-Marine's death attributed to stress disorder

MILWAUKEE (AP) - The Wisconsin family of a former Marine sergeant who took his own life at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming says his death was due to a psychological disorder affecting many veterans.

Peter Kastner's father, Larry, said Wednesday his son suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder following his discharge from the military in 2007. Kastner says his son's life began to deteriorate as he struggled with the disorder. Kastner and his wife, Sara, who live in Chippewa Falls, Wis., had not heard from their son in Oklahoma since late April. Then the Kastners received word in late May that a car rented by their son was discovered abandoned along a trail at Yellowstone.

The body of the 25-year-old former Marine was found July 14 by researchers working on Garnet Hill, a summit north of Tower Junction.

A study last year by the RAND Corp. estimated 20 percent of returning veterans have symptoms of PTSD or major depression.