News
News

Father wants answers about mysterious death of his military son

Major Kyle Tafel was just 36-years-old.
Major Kyle Tafel was just 36-years-old.
By Berndt Petersen
July 5, 2017

A north Georgia father is looking for answers regarding the mysterious death of his son.

Maj. Kyle Tafel, 36, was serving in the Georgia Army National Guard. His 18-year career was cut short during a June vacation in the eastern European nation of Belarus.

"It was 3:30 in the morning over there. 8:30 at night here. We got a call from my sister," said Maj. Tafel’s father, Kevin.

TRENDING STORIES:

Tafel told Channel 2's Berndt Petersen his son had accompanied his aunt there for a sports tournament she was competing in.

Police told him his son’s body was found on the pavement outside his hotel, 10 floors below from an open window in his room. Tafel believes his son was thrown from the balcony and murdered. So far, he says he’s gotten no answers from authorities there.

"It is frustrating in one sense, and in the other sense the answers aren't going to bring him back.  The answers will probably open up more questions," he said.

About the Author

Berndt Petersen
More Stories

Keep Reading

A Korean Air plane takes off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. The plane is chartered to bring back Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in Georgia. (Yonhap via AP)

Credit: AP

Talks continue over release of detained Korean workers. Departure uncertain.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said the charter flight to transport the workers from Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon had been canceled. But, plans may change.

The Latest

Michael Collins was the director of the racial justice group Color Of Change before heading up Play Fair ATL.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

A.M. ATL: It’s fair game

Sweet Tea: Strike up the band

AJC VARSITY

High school scoreboard: Friday night’s football action around the state

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.