First Lieutenant Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old air defense artillery officer from Richmond, Virginia, was found dead along Morocco's southern shoreline on Saturday morning, the U.S. Army announced, more than a week after he and another service member disappeared into the ocean during what began as a sunset hike.
Key's body was recovered by a Moroccan military search team at about 8:55 a.m. local time Saturday, the Army said. He was found approximately one mile from where both soldiers vanished on May 2, near the Cap Draa Training Area. A second service member, who has not been identified, remains missing. Search operations for that soldier will continue, Army officials said, with efforts focused on the area where Key's remains were found while still monitoring a broader perimeter.
Both soldiers had been taking part in African Lion, a large annual training exercise involving U.S. and Moroccan forces. Defense officials previously told CBS News that the incident was not believed to be related to the exercise itself. A preliminary report described how the two soldiers were among a group who had gone on a hike to watch the sunset when one soldier, known to not be able to swim, fell into the water. The second soldier jumped in to attempt a rescue but was struck by a wave. Other soldiers on the scene tried to pull both men to safety but were unsuccessful.
It is not clear from the Army's account whether Key was the soldier who fell or the one who jumped in to help.
More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel have been involved in search efforts since the two disappeared. Key's next of kin were notified before the Army's public announcement Sunday. His remains were transported to an area morgue, and plans are underway to repatriate them from Morocco to the United States.
Key served as an air defense artillery officer with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. He had joined his battalion in 2025 and had become a platoon leader by the time he died. During his service he earned the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon, among other awards. He is survived by his parents, his sister, and his brother-in-law.
Lt. Col. Chris Couch, commander of 5-4 ADAR, said Key "embodied the highest standards of service as a selfless, inspirational leader whose unwavering dedication to his Soldiers and their development leaves an enduring legacy within our ranks."
Brigadier Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said 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."
The search for the second missing service member is ongoing.
