Updated May 10, 2026 — The U.S. Army said Sunday that the body of First Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, was recovered by a Moroccan military search team near Morocco’s Cap Draa training area. Key was one of two U.S. service members who disappeared May 2 off Morocco’s southern coast while in the country for annual training activities. The Army said the incident is not believed to be related to the African Lion exercise.
According to a preliminary account, the two soldiers had hiked to watch the sunset when one, who reportedly could not swim, went into the water. A second servicemember jumped in to try to rescue him and was struck by a wave; others attempted rescues but were unsuccessful. It is not yet known whether Key was the service member who fell or the one who entered the water to help.
Key’s remains were found along the shoreline about a mile from the location where both soldiers vanished. He was discovered at about 8:55 a.m. local time Saturday and taken to a local morgue; plans are underway to repatriate his remains to the United States. Army officials said search operations for the second missing service member will continue, with more than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civilian personnel having taken part in the effort.
Key, a native of Richmond, Virginia, served as an air defense artillery officer with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and had joined his battalion in 2025, becoming a platoon leader. Leaders described him as caring, selfless and inspirational. Lt. Col. Chris Couch said Key “embodied the highest standards of service,” and Brig. Gen. Curtis King said Key’s colleagues were “grieving” and would continue to support one another and the family as they honor his life.
Key is survived by his parents, his sister and his brother-in-law. Next of kin were notified prior to the public announcement. Before his military service, Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in North Carolina, with minors in international business, entrepreneurship and business administration. His military awards included the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.