Navy Lieutenant Commander Christopher Olsen faces second-degree murder charges for his wife’s death in Japan, while her family demands transparency after months of silence from military officials.

At a Glance

• Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Olsen has been charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in the death of his wife, Jessica “Jesse” Arguinzoni Olsen.
• Jesse was found dead in a hotel room in Fukuoka, Japan in October with injuries to her head, jaw, and hyoid bones.
• The family claims they’ve received minimal communication from the Navy regarding the case and feel disrespected by the military’s handling of the situation.
• A hearing officer will make recommendations to the Navy’s Office of Special Trial Counsel on whether to refer the case to trial.
• The Arguinzoni family is still waiting for the return of Jesse’s personal belongings, which are being withheld pending Christopher’s decision.

Family Left in the Dark

Five months after the death of Jessica “Jesse” Arguinzoni Olsen in Japan, her family continues to struggle with what they describe as a lack of transparency and communication from the U.S. Navy. Jesse’s body was discovered in a Fukuoka hotel room with severe injuries to her head, jaw, and hyoid bones. Her husband, Lieutenant Commander Christopher Olsen, has now been charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but the family says they’ve been left largely in the dark about the investigation and legal proceedings.

Jesse’s sister, Dominique Arguinzoni, has publicly expressed the family’s frustration with how the Navy has handled the case, particularly the notification of Jesse’s death. “There was no in-person visit, no support team, no effort to ensure they were physically or emotionally able to process the news. We were simply told that Jesse was dead—and that her husband, LCDR Christopher Olsen, was a person of interest,” Dominique stated.

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Military Justice Process Underway

The case against Lt. Cmdr. Olsen is proceeding through the military justice system, with a hearing officer now tasked with making recommendations to the Navy’s Office of Special Trial Counsel. This recommendation will be crucial in determining whether the case moves forward to a court-martial. The Navy has maintained that it cannot comment extensively due to the ongoing litigation, emphasizing the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Olsen, who began his naval career in 2014, had recently transferred from Japan’s Sasebo Naval Base to San Diego.

“LCDR Christopher Olsen has finally been charged—five months later. And still, we wait. No timeline. No answers to our questions about the next legal steps. No clear communication. No respect.”, said Dominique Arguinzoni.

The family has voiced concerns that the military justice system might not provide the same level of transparency or accountability as a civilian court. They’ve created a Facebook group and GoFundMe campaign to raise awareness about Jesse’s case and to support their quest for justice. Despite these efforts, they report that essential information and timelines remain elusive.

Personal Effects Still Withheld

Adding to the family’s distress is the continued withholding of Jesse’s personal belongings. According to Dominique, these items remain in limbo as they await Christopher’s decision regarding their return. This situation has further strained relations between the family and the Navy, with the Arguinzonis feeling that they are being treated as secondary concerns in the aftermath of Jesse’s death. The personal effects hold both practical and sentimental value for a family still processing their unexpected loss.

“The silence from the Navy is not just inhumane—it is part of the injustice. This lack of accountability and communication must be exposed. Jesse was a daughter, a sister, and a beloved human being. She mattered. And she deserves better than to have her life and death swept under the rug.”, said Dominique.

As the case progresses, the Arguinzoni family continues their public push for answers and accountability. Military legal experts note that cases like this one, involving deaths overseas and military personnel, present unique jurisdictional and procedural challenges. However, the family maintains that these challenges should not prevent proper communication with victims’ families or diminish the obligation for a thorough and transparent investigation.