Local veteran, 39, loses cancer battle
A local veteran who blamed her pancreatic cancer on burn pits in Iraq has passed away.
Jennifer Kepner, 39, of Cathedral City died early Wednesday morning after a more than yearlong battle with cancer.
We brought you her story in a News Channel 3 I-Team Investigation.
She served in Iraq in the Air Force where burn pits were used to dispose of all waste on base including Styrofoam and other carcinogens. The fires were fueled by jet fuel.
The Department of Defense admits the burn pits may be responsible for some illnesses in thousands of veterans but not cancer.
Services are being planned for Forest Lawn and Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City on Oct. 29.
Jennifer Kepner is survived by her husband, Ben, and two children.
