Remains of US soldier found as second soldier still missing in Morocco

The remains of a US Army officer who disappeared during military exercises in Morocco have been found in the Atlantic Ocean, while the search for a second missing soldier continues, according to military officials.

The remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia, were recovered Saturday, U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced Sunday. Key, a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, was one of two U.S. soldiers who reportedly fell off a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike near the Cap Draa Training Area on May 2.

The military said a Moroccan military search team found Key in the water off the coastline around 8:55 a.m. local time on Saturday, about a mile from where both soldiers reportedly entered the ocean.

“Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were found in Morocco,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis King, Commander of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said in his statement. “Our hearts go out to his Family, friends, teammates, and all those who knew and served with him. The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Family mourns and we will continue to support each other and the Family of 1st Lt. Key as we honor his life and service.”

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Key and the second soldier were reported missing on May 2 after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal.

The Moroccan army said the duo was reported missing around 9 p.m. near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, where mountains, desert and semi-desert plains are located.

The disappearance of the two soldiers prompted a search and rescue mission involving more than 600 personnel from the United States, Morocco and other military partners. Ships, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed as part of this operation.

The search for the second missing soldier will continue.

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Two soldiers were reported missing after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise in Morocco. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

A U.S. contingent remained in Morocco to maintain command and control and support the ongoing search and rescue mission after military exercises concluded on Friday.

Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, according to an Army statement.

His decorations include the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

He entered military service as an officer candidate in 2023 and earned his commission as an Air Defense Artillery officer the following year through Officer Candidate School. He later completed the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Key is survived by his parents, sister and brother-in-law.

The search for the second missing soldier will continue. (Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP via Getty Images)

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African Lion 26 is a US-led exercise that began in April in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, involving more than 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 countries.

For more than 20 years, it was the largest joint US military exercise in Africa.

In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured in an MV-22 Osprey crash near Cap Draa while participating in Exercise African Lion.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.