A Richmond soldier who went missing off the coast of Morocco during a military exercise has been found dead, according to the U.S. Army.
First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, was recovered Friday morning by a Moroccan military search team near the Cap Draa Training Area, where he and another U.S. service member disappeared on May 2.
The Army said Key was one of two soldiers reported missing after entering the water during a hike following training connected to African Lion 26, a large multinational military exercise involving U.S. and allied forces across Africa.
According to U.S. Army Europe and Africa, Key’s body was found along the shoreline roughly one mile from where the two soldiers were last seen entering the ocean.
Search efforts for the second missing soldier are ongoing. Officials say more than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civilian personnel have taken part in the operation, using ground crews, aircraft, maritime teams, drones and surveillance assets.
“Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco,” Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said in a statement. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him.”
King also thanked the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and other agencies assisting in the search effort.
Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, praised Moroccan officials for providing aircraft, dive teams, maritime crews and other resources during the search.
Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, where he served as a platoon leader.
Originally from Richmond, Key earned a degree in marketing from Methodist University in North Carolina before entering military service in 2023 as an officer candidate. He received his commission in 2024 as an Air Defense Artillery officer and later completed training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Military leaders described him as a dedicated officer who cared deeply for the soldiers he led.
“Kendrick 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,” Lt. Col. Chris Couch, commander of 5-4 ADAR, said in a statement.
During his service, Key earned the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
The Army says plans are underway to return Key’s remains to the United States. He is survived by his parents, sister and brother-in-law.
The search for the second missing service member continues.
