The Department of Defense announced Thursday the death of an El Paso soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt 1st Class Ruben J. Villa Jr., of El Paso, died on Aug 18, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from a non-combat related cause.

Villa was assigned to the Army's Area Support Group (CFLCC) in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Villa, 36, was a food inspector who may have been off-duty on "rest and relaxation" at the time of his death.

The incident is under investigation.