Body of US soldier who went missing in Morocco has been found and identified

May 10, 2026

During the African Lion 2026 military training exercise in Morocco, two US soldiers went missing on May 2nd when one fell into the ocean from cliffs while hiking with their group to watch the sunset. Fellow soldiers attempted a rescue using belts to form a human chain, and when that failed, another soldier jumped in to help, followed by a third rescuer who was the only one to make it back safely. The US Army has now confirmed that the body of 27-year-old 1st Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr from Richmond, Virginia, was recovered by Moroccan military forces along the shoreline about a mile from where the incident occurred.

Who is affected

1st Lt Kendrick Lamont Key Jr (deceased)
The second missing US soldier (identity not disclosed)
Key's family and friends
The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command
The third soldier who attempted rescue and survived
Other service members who were hiking with the group
US and Moroccan military forces involved in the exercise and search operations

What action is being taken

US and Moroccan forces are conducting an ongoing search for the second missing soldier using ground, air, and maritime assets
The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command is providing support to one another and to 1st Lt. Key's family
Key's body is being repatriated to the US

Why it matters

This tragedy highlights the inherent risks faced by military personnel even during training exercises, not just combat operations. The incident occurred during African Lion 2026, the continent's largest annual joint military exercise designed to strengthen cooperation between US forces, NATO allies, and African nations, underscoring how international military partnerships can be affected by such losses. The death of 1st Lt. Key and the disappearance of another soldier impact military readiness and morale while demonstrating the dangers service members face in unfamiliar terrain during multinational training operations.

What's next

Key's body will be repatriated to the United States
The search for the second missing soldier will continue

Read full article from source: BBC