American Extremist Who Fought in Syria Dies of an Overdose in Arizona

Local Editor

A onetime US Army soldier who joined Syria extremists has died.

The family of Eric Harroun announced on its Facebook page that the 31-year-old died, though the cause of death is still unknown. Relatives confirmed the death on Wednesday. Foul play is not suspected and toxicology reports are not expected for 60 to 90 days.

Harroun gained international attention when it was discovered he was fighting alongside extremists and America-hating terrorists and celebrating his bloody exploits on YouTube videos.

The FBI arrested Harroun upon his re-entry into the US He was charged in June 2013 with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to use destructive devices overseas. Harroun, a Phoenix native, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to time served. He was released and returned home to his family in Arizona.
Harroun was fighting for the Syrian armed groups - who were supported by the State Department.
 
According to court documents, Harroun allegedly participated in multiple attacks with al-Nusra Front -an affiliate of al-Qaeda in Iraq - and was to have "carried and used various firearms, including a sniper rifle, an AK-47-style machine gun, and a rocket-propelled grenade [RPG] weapon" during his time fighting with al-Nusra.

"I was separated in a battle and most of my [Free Syrian Army] group was K.I.A. and al-Nusra picked me up," Harroun told FoxNews.com during one of several brief interviews conducted via Skype.
Harroun, who at the time spoke to FoxNews.com from Turkey before flying to the U.S., where he was taken into custody, had dismissed questions about fighting alongside al-Qaeda terrorists. He charged that "the US plays both sides, too," and that the al-Qaeda splinter group welcomed him with open arms.

His father, Darryl Harroun, told FoxNews.com in an interview last year that his son was discharged from the Army after he was seriously injured while riding in a pickup truck that hit a tree. He was left with full disability pay and a steel plate in his head, according to his father.

Hours ago, his sister announced on Facebook and then confirmed by phone that 31-year-old Harroun died of an overdose in his father's home in Phoenix, Arizona. The family says the death was an accident. There will be an autopsy.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team