Tavares, FL – The remains of a young Florida soldier have been returned to the United States following an extensive search effort after she went missing during a military training exercise in Morocco.
U.S. Army Specialist Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, of Tavares, Florida, disappeared on May 2nd while participating in African Lion 26, a multinational military exercise involving U.S. and allied forces.
Military officials said Collington and another soldier, 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., went missing during off-duty hours near Morocco’s Atlantic coastline.
According to the U.S. Army, the two soldiers entered the water during a recreational outing near the Cap Draa Training Area.
Their disappearance triggered a large scale search operation involving U.S. and Moroccan military personnel, along with aircraft, maritime assets, drones, and specialized search equipment.
More than 1,000 military and civilian personnel participated in the recovery effort. Officials recovered the remains of Key first, followed several days later by the discovery of Collington’s remains. The recovery operation officially concluded after both soldiers were located.
Collington served as an air and missile defense crewmember assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. She joined the Army through the Delayed Entry Program in 2023 and entered active duty service in 2024.
Military officials noted she had recently been promoted to the rank of specialist.
The soldier’s remains have now been returned to Florida, where family members, fellow service members, and community members continue to honor her life and military service.
Military authorities have not released a final report on the incident, and the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.