Synthetic pot blamed for death of U.S. soldier deployed to Ebola zone

KILLEEN, Texas -- An autopsy has concluded that synthetic marijuana was to blame for the death of a Fort Hood soldier shortly after his return from deployment to an Ebola hot zone in West Africa.

The body of Kendrick Vernell Sneed was found the morning of Jan. 13 outside an off-base apartment. Fort Hood officials say Sneed had returned the previous week from Liberia, where he helped construct an Ebola treatment camp but wasn't exposed to patients.

Killeen police, a hazmat team and several ambulances responded to the soldier's home after a report came in of a man's body being found outside, reported CBS affiliate KWTX in Waco.

Ebola tests were given has a precaution but came back negative.

A Killeen Police Department statement Thursday says a medical examiner determined "synthetic cannabinoid intoxication" was the cause of death.