The body of a soldier who went missing in Morocco during an exercise has been recovered, the US military said

The body of an American soldier who left lost while in Morocco because it has received annual training, the US military said on Sunday.

First Lieutenant Lamont Key Jr. he was one of two US military personnel who disappeared a week ago in waters off the southern coast of Morocco, near the Cap Draa Training Area, the military said in a statement.

Army officials said the search for the second employee, who has not yet been identified, will continue. Search efforts have so far involved more than 1,000 US and Moroccan military and civilian personnel, according to the Army.

Both service members were part of the African Lion, an annual exercise, although defense officials told CBS News that the incident was not believed to be event-related. The initial report said the two were part of a group of service members who were hiking to watch the sunset when the soldier, who was known to be unable to swim, fell into the water. Defense officials said a second soldier went missing he jumped to try to savebut he was hit by a wave. Other soldiers tried to rescue the two, but failed.

Key's body was found by a Moroccan military search team around 8:55 a.m. Saturday morning local time, the U.S. military said. He was found off the coast, about a mile from where both soldiers disappeared into the sea on May 2, according to the military. It is not clear whether Key is the fallen soldier or the one who reportedly jumped in.

Army officials say ongoing search efforts will focus on the area where Key's remains were found, while still monitoring a wider area.

Key, 27, was from Richmond, Virginia, according to the Army. He served as an air defense officer with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

Key “embodied the highest standards of service as a selfless, inspirational leader whose unwavering dedication to his Soldiers and their advancement leaves a lasting legacy among us,” said Lt. Col. Chris Couch, commander of 5-4 ADAR, in a statement.

He is survived by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, according to the Force. His next of kin was notified before the announcement. His remains have been moved to a mortuary in the area, and plans are underway to bring them back to the US from Morocco to the US.

Brigadier General Curtis King, who heads the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said in a statement that Key's colleagues are “grieving” and will “continue to support” and the military's family, “as we honor his life and work.”

Key joined his army in 2025 and was a platoon leader at the time of his death, the military said. He has been described as a compassionate, selfless and inspirational leader in his platoon, and has received various awards for his service, including the Military Achievement Medal and the Military Service Ribbon.

Before joining the military in 2023, Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in North Carolina, where he also majored in international business, entrepreneurship and business administration, the Army said.