A U.S. Navy officer is facing charges for the murder of his wife, who was found strangled in a hotel room in Japan six months ago. Jessica “Jesse” Arguinzoni Olsen, originally from Monroe, NY, was discovered deceased on October 27 in a room at the Hotel SOL in Fukuoka, approximately 80 miles from Sasebo Naval Base. Her husband, Lt. Commander Christopher Olsen, was stationed at this base from November 2022 to December 2023.
Hotel surveillance footage reportedly captured the couple checking into the hotel on October 25, with Olsen seen leaving alone two days later. At the time of his wife’s murder, Olsen was stationed at the Naval Surface Group Southwest in San Diego, according to reports.
Hotel staff discovered the 37-year-old woman’s body and alerted the police. Olsen was questioned immediately but was not arrested at the time. The reason for the delay between the murder and the filing of criminal charges remains unclear.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with support from the Fukuoka police, conducted the investigation. They allege that Olsen brutally assaulted and then strangled his wife in their hotel room.
The couple, who met at the State University of New York at Oswego, had been married since August 2009. Jesse’s sister, Dominque Arguinzoni, expressed shock at the news, stating that the couple appeared to be happy and that there were no apparent signs of trouble in their relationship.
Authorities suspect that Olsen inflicted injuries to his wife’s head, jaw, and neck. In addition to the murder charge, Olsen was also charged with obstruction of justice during a preliminary hearing at Naval Base San Diego on Wednesday.
Olsen joined the Navy in April 2014 and was promoted to surface officer in July of the previous year. He now potentially faces a court martial, and the consequences could range from a dishonorable discharge and confinement to capital punishment.
Naval spokesman Cmdr. Paul Macapagal emphasized the Navy’s commitment to a fair and impartial military justice system, stating that Olsen is presumed innocent until proven guilty.