The remains of a second soldier who disappeared in Morocco earlier this month have been found and identified.
The soldier was identified as Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, of Taveres, Florida, according to the U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
The other soldier was identified as 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia. His body was found May 9, about a mile from where the two were reported missing.
NBC News, The Associated Press and the BBC reported the two soldiers fell off a cliff during an off‑duty recreational hike in Morocco.
What happened to Florida solider in Morocco?
Collington, 19, of Taveres, was participating in African Lion, a joint military exercise.
The two service members were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area near the city of Tan Tan in southwestern Morocco May 2.
She and Key were hiking in southwestern Morocco when they reportedly fell off a cliff while off duty. Key’s body was found May 9.
➤ 2 US service members missing in Morocco after annual military exercise
On May 12, Collington’s body was recovered from a coastal cave roughly 500 meters from where both soldiers reportedly entered the ocean, according to the U.S. Army Europe and Africa news release.
More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel were involved in the search operation.
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with the 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, Moroccan military mountaineers, and Moroccan Civil Protection recovered Collington’s body.
On May 13, the bodies of both Collington and Key were being flown back to the U.S. on a military aircraft.
The U.S. Army reported the incident remains under investigation.
Who was Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington of Florida?
Collington, 19, of Taveres, served as an air and missile defense crewmember and was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Collington entered the Regular Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2023 before beginning active-duty service in 2024.
➤ Who was 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.
She completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a 14P air and missile defense crewmember. She reported to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in Ansbach, Germany, in February 2025 and was promoted to specialist May 1, 2026.
“The loss of Spc. Collington is a profound loss for the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
“Spc. Collington was an outstanding soldier whose unwavering enthusiasm and positive spirit uplifted every environment she entered,” said Capt. Spencer Grider, commander of Charlie Battery, 5-4 ADAR.
“Her infectious energy, whether in the office, in the field or among her peers, fostered connection and camaraderie, bringing people together through her genuine warmth and heartfelt sense of humor. Her presence will be greatly missed across our formation.
“Spc. Collington was a bright light in this battalion. To the soldiers who knew her best and served alongside her each day, she was a treasured friend whose loss leaves a deep and profound void on our team,” said Lt. Col. Chris Couch, the 5-4 ADAR battalion commander.
“As we hold her family, friends, and teammates in our prayers, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the U.S. personnel and Moroccan partners who dedicated themselves to bringing her home.”
Collington’s awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon.
More than 1,000 searched for missing US soldiers
More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel participated in the search, which covered more than 21,300 square kilometers across sea and along the coast, according to the U.S. Army.
“U.S. and Moroccan forces applied integrated air, land, sea and subsurface capabilities throughout the operation, including unmanned aerial systems, rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, surface vessels, dive teams, mountaineering teams and ground search elements.”
“I can’t say enough about the extraordinary efforts of the Moroccan government, our sister services, and Allies,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general, U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
“They were with us during a difficult time — tireless, determined, and compassionate — to aid in the search for our two missing soldiers.
“Their commitment never wavered, and their willingness to do whatever it took to bring our soldiers home to their families speaks volumes about the strength of our partnership and the character of those who serve.”
What is African Lion?
“African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen interoperability among U.S. forces, NATO Allies, and African partner nations,” according to its website.
Hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, the “exercise focuses on joint all-domain operations, crisis response, and multinational interoperability.
“It enhances regional security and supports U.S.-Africa Command’s strategic objectives, showcasing readiness to respond to crises and contingencies globally.”
The activities in Morocco involved about 5,000 personnel from more than 40 nations and more than 30 U.S.-based industry partners.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Body of missing Florida soldier found in Morocco cave
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
