Auburn soldier is killed in Iraq - he mourned mom a year ago

[sr_pacifica]

David Waters of Auburn was a troubled teen, searching for direction in life.

He found it when he enlisted in the U.S. Army early last year. He couldn't wait to come home and show off his uniform to his family.

When he did return 13 months ago, it was under the saddest of circumstances: His mother had been killed, her body found behind some bushes in Auburn.

On Wednesday, Waters, 19, also lost his life. He was the victim of a bombing in Iraq, where he'd been sent by the Army, his family has reported.

"It's been so heartbreaking," said Debbie Waters of Visalia, whose husband is David Waters' cousin. "David had been a troubled youngster in high school. I can recall at his mom's funeral last year, David was in his uniform and said, 'I know my mom would be so proud to see how I've turned out.'

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Susan Waters was born with hydrocephalus, commonly known as "water on the brain." Complications from the disease left her with spinal problems and constant pain, Work said.

Susan Waters, 42, got by with little income and often lived on the streets, family members said. When she would meet other homeless people, she brought them to shelters or churches for free meals, they said.

"She was a child of God," said Debbie Waters. "She was always helping other people out. That's probably what got her killed. I don't think she ever met anyone she didn't like."

Auburn Police Officer Dan Coe said Susan Waters' killer remains unknown.

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Coe was a school resource officer when David Waters was in school.

"I had some contacts with him, but it was nothing of major significance," he said. "He seemed to have really squared himself away in the military. He was trying to make something of himself."

Susan Waters helped distribute food to the homeless at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Auburn, said Lucille Gaede, director of the church's community services program.

"It's so tragic that she didn't know how sweet he turned out," Gaede said. "Life is full of pain for some people."

http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/11109057p-12025496c.html