A submarine commander in the U.S. Navy is in danger of losing his position after allegedly faking his own death in an effort to end an affair.

Navy Commander Michael Ward II has been assigned to administrative duties, according to a New London Day report. Last week Ward was named Commander of the USS Pittsburgh, a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine.

The report states that Ward, who is married and has children, had been having an affair under the guise that he was separated. When he was named commander of the USS Pittsburgh, Ward saw a way to end his affair, and sent an email from a supposed co-worker named Bob. The email, as quoted in the New London Day report:

“He asked me to contact you if this ever happened,” the email says. “I am extremely sorry to tell you that he is gone. We tried everything we could to save him. I cannot say more. I am sorry it has to be this way.”

The email goes on to say, “He loved you very much.”

In a reply she said, “I can’t help but wonder how true this is… That maybe he just can’t talk to me until he is done and he had to make (it) appear permanent…. This is just crazy! This can’t have happened. I love him… We were supposed to be together. He promised me. How could this happen… Is it possible he was captured?”

“Bob” replied, “This is by far the most difficult part of what we do. I wish I had a better answer. Take care of yourself – I know he would have wanted that.”

The woman showed up at Ward’s house in Burke, Virginia, only to be told by its new resident that Ward had moved to Connecticut for his new position. The woman then turned over the emails and other evidence of the affair to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

The London Day quotes the woman as saying, “I don’t want any issues. It’s just a big mess. I knew it was coming, though, and I feel better, in a way, because everyone knows what Michael is about.”

(Photo courtesy U.S. Navy)