Relatives of a slain sailor are calling the 29-year-old's death a hate crime.

Rose Roy of Beaumont said her nephew, U.S. Navy Seaman August
Provost III, had complained a year before about being harassed for
being gay.

The Houston native was found dead Tuesday at Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego. Roy said the family was told that Provost was shot three times, had his hands and feet bound, his mouth gagged, and body burned.

Investigators have called the sailor's death a random act unrelated to the his sexuality and have taken a "person of interest" into custody. No charges have been filed.