Marine found dead at home after dispute identified

The body of a Camp Pendleton Marine found hanging outside of his Fallbrook home late Monday night, October 26, has been identified as Lance Cpl. Joseph L. Favela.

Favela was found unconscious at approximately 11:57 p.m. after neighbors went to investigate what they believed to be a domestic violence issue involving children.

According to the county medical examiner’s report, Favela and his wife lived with another couple in a home on the 1300 block of East Fallbrook Street.

Favela’s wife found him hanging by the neck with a belt attached to a punching bag that was hanging from a rafter on the outside rear patio of their home.

Calls to the Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation and medical personnel came in once the body was discovered. Despite aggressive resuscitative efforts from medics, Favela was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities say.

The San Diego county medical examiner determined the cause of death as asphyxiation by hanging.

Favela, a 20-year-old field artillery cannoneer from Robstown, TX, enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 10, 2008.

He was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton on September 21 of that year.

Favela’s personal service awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He did not deploy in support of operations Iraqi or Enduring Freedom.