A Beaumont woman has claimed that her nephew, who was a sailor stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, was a hate crime victim. And now his partner is speaking out about his death.

The Associated Press has reported that Rose Roy of Beaumont said her nephew Navy Seaman August Provost III complained a year before he was killed that he was being harassed because he was gay.

She reportedly advised Provost to document the incidents and alert the military, but says he was discouraged by the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The 29-year-old from Houston died of multiple gunshot wounds Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at Camp Pendleton, located north of San Diego. He was on guard duty at the time. A "person of interest" is in custody, but no charges have been filed.

On Saturday, July 4, 2009, his partner spoke out about the killing.

A Navy spokesperson said the investigation into Seaman Provost's death is ongoing but that the murder does not appear to be a hate crime.

Captain Matt Brown said despite concerns by gay rights activists, investigators found no evidence that Provost was killed because of his sexual orientation. Brown declined to disclose any other suspected motive.