Search Continues After U.S. Army Officer’s Remains Found in Morocco
The U.S. Army has confirmed that the remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., who went missing during military exercises in Morocco, were recovered from the Atlantic Ocean. The search is still ongoing for a second soldier who also disappeared.
Key, 27, from Richmond, Virginia, was identified as one of the two soldiers missing since May 2. They reportedly fell from a cliff while hiking near the Cap Draa Training Area.
Authorities from the Moroccan military located Key’s remains along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time on Saturday, about a mile from where they entered the ocean. Brig. Gen. Curtis King expressed condolences on behalf of the Army, sharing that the community is grieving and rallying around Key’s family.
Key and the other soldier went missing during “African Lion,” an annual military exercise involving multiple countries across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. Their disappearance spurred a large-scale rescue operation with over 600 personnel from the U.S. and Moroccan forces, supported by ships, helicopters, and drones.
The search for the second soldier continues.
Key, assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, had joined the military as an officer candidate in 2023. His achievements include the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
He leaves behind his parents, a sister, and a brother-in-law.
