The body of an American soldier who went missing while in Morocco for an annual training exercise has been recovered, the U.S. Army announced on Sunday.
First Lieutenant Lamont Key Jr. was one of two U.S. service members who disappeared just over a week ago in waters off Morocco’s southern coast, near the Cap Draa Training Area.
The second serviceman has not been identified. Army officials said search operations for the missing soldier will continue.
Both service members were taking part in African Lion, an annual training exercise, although defense officials previously told CBS News that the incident was not believed to be related to the event. A preliminary report said the two were part of a group of service members who went on a hike to watch the sunset when a soldier known to not be able to swim fell into the water. Defense officials said the second missing soldier jumped in to attempt a rescue, but was hit by a wave. Other soldiers attempted to rescue the two, but were unsuccessful.
Key’s body was recovered by a Moroccan military search team at about 8:55 a.m. Saturday morning local time, the U.S. Army said. He was found along the shoreline, about a mile from where both soldiers vanished into the ocean on May 2, according to the army. It’s not clear if Key was the soldier who fell or the one who reportedly jumped in.
Key, 27, was from Richmond, Virginia, according to the Army. He served as an air defense artillery officer with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
“Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco,” said Brigadier Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, in a statement. “Our hearts are with his Family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him.”
King added that Key’s colleagues were “grieving” and would “continue to support one another” as well as the soldier’s family, “as we honor his life and service.”
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