The U.S. Army has confirmed the death of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia, after his remains were recovered in Morocco. Key was one of two U.S. soldiers who went missing on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area during African Lion 26, a major multinational military exercise. A Moroccan military search team found his remains in the water along the shoreline on May 9, approximately one mile from where the two soldiers were reportedly last seen entering the ocean.

A massive search operation was immediately launched involving U.S. and Moroccan forces, with more than 1,000 military and civilian personnel taking part. Ground teams, aircraft, unmanned systems, dive teams, maritime assets, and other search resources were deployed. The search for the remaining missing U.S. soldier is continuing.

Key served as a platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. He joined the Army as an officer candidate in 2023 and received his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024. He later completed training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, before joining Charlie Battery in 2025. His commanders described him as a selfless and inspirational leader who deeply cared about his soldiers and the people around him.

Key earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Methodist University, with minors in international business, entrepreneurship, and business administration. He is survived by his parents, Kendrick Key Sr. and Jihan Key, his sister Dakota Debose-Hill, and brother-in-law U.S. Army Spc. James Brown. Moroccan forces transported his remains to a military hospital in Guelmim, and arrangements are being made to return him to the United States. May he rest in peace, and may his family find strength during this heartbreaking loss.