Lieutenant Commander Christopher Olsen has been charged with second-degree murder after the death of his wife, Jessica “Jesse” Arguinzoni Olsen, in a Fukuoka hotel, igniting calls for justice and transparency from her grieving family.
At a Glance
- Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Olsen charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice
- Jesse Olsen was found dead in a Japanese hotel room in October 2024
- Family criticizes the Navy for delayed charges and lack of communication
- Case echoes previous military domestic violence incidents
- Public campaign launched to demand answers and honor Jesse’s memory
Tragic Death in Japan
On October 28, 2024, Jessica “Jesse” Arguinzoni Olsen was found dead in a Fukuoka hotel room with injuries to her head, jaw, and neck bones. Months later, her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Olsen, a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, was formally charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
The Navy has stated that Olsen, who remains in pretrial confinement, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, its limited communication with Jesse’s family has sparked outrage.
Watch a report: Military Justice and the Olsen Case – YouTube
Family’s Plea for Transparency
Jesse’s sister, Dominique Arguinzoni, has been a leading voice for accountability. “LCDR Christopher Olsen has finally been charged—five months later. And still, we wait. No timeline. No answers to our questions. No clear communication. No respect,” she said.
Dominique also condemned the lack of Navy support when the family was first notified. “There was no in-person visit, no support team, no effort to ensure they were emotionally able to process the news. We were simply told that Jesse was dead—and that her husband…was a person of interest.”
Seeking Justice and Public Support
Dominique has created a Facebook group and launched a GoFundMe campaign to rally public support and cover legal costs. The campaign has become a central hub for updates and advocacy, drawing widespread attention from both civilian and military communities.
The case bears similarities to the 2017 sentencing of Yolinda Doss, who received 12 years for manslaughter in the death of her husband, Cmdr. Alphonso Doss. Like Doss, Olsen’s legal path will depend heavily on forensic evidence and the recommendations of a military hearing officer.
Demands for Change
Jesse’s family insists this is about more than justice for one woman—it’s about structural failures in how the military communicates with families and handles cases involving domestic violence. “The silence from the Navy is not just inhumane—it is part of the injustice,” Dominique said.
As legal proceedings unfold under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the case could prompt wider scrutiny of how the Navy supports victims’ families and addresses internal accountability. For Jesse’s family, the pursuit of truth and justice is only just beginning.
