The US Army recovered the remains of Spc Mariyah Symone Collington, the second soldier missing after falling off a cliff during a recreational hike in Morocco on May 2, 2026 [1, 2]. Collington was 19 years old and served as an air and missile defense crew member with Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command [1, 2]. She was promoted to specialist on May 1, just one day before the incident [1].
Collington and 1st Lt Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., the first soldier whose remains were recovered, were taking part in an off-duty hike when they fell from the cliff [1, 2]. Key was a 27-year-old air defense artillery officer from Richmond, Virginia [1, 2]. Both had been reported missing shortly after the conclusion of the African Lion 2026 multinational military exercise, which ran from April 13 to May 8 across Morocco and other African countries [1, 2].
More than 1,000 US and Moroccan military and civilian personnel participated in the search operation covering over 21,300 square kilometers of sea and coastal territory [1, 2]. Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported Collington’s remains to a military hospital morgue in Guelmim, Morocco [1]. Brig. Gen. Curtis King said, "Her recovery closes the search for our two missing Soldiers, but our commitment to caring for their Families, friends, and teammates continues. We are grateful to the U.S. and Moroccan forces for their professionalism and support throughout the search efforts" [2].
The US Army officially ended active search efforts on May 14 and shifted to recovery and repatriation of remains [2]. The circumstances of the accident remain under investigation [1, 2].
