Navy Midshipman Found Dead Near U.S. Naval Academy; Investigation Underway

Second Class Midshipman Kyle Philbert James, 20, who was reported missing on 9 October, was found dead the following day near the U.S. Naval Academy campus, officials said. An investigation into his death is ongoing.

The academy notified James’s family on 9 October that he had not attended classes and was considered missing. On the evening of 10 October, the family was informed that his remains had been discovered in the vicinity of the academy. Authorities have not released details about where he was found, the circumstances of his disappearance, or a cause of death.

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine how he died, according to local reports. The Capital Gazette reported that James, of Whippany, New Jersey, had texted his mother the morning he was reported missing, responding to her message and telling her he loved her.

“It is painful to lose a member of our Naval Academy family,” the academy said in a statement. “As we attempt to better understand this tremendous loss, we offer our deepest condolences to Philbert James’s family, close friends, classmates and company mates during this extremely difficult time.”

James was in his junior year, majoring in history, and sang with the academy’s gospel choir, officials said. The academy has notified midshipmen and their families of his death and said the Midshipmen Development Center and chaplain staff are available to support the Brigade.

The Naval Academy sent an email to academy families confirming the death of Midshipman James. It stated that the Midshipmen Development Center and the chaplain center would be reaching out to fellow midshipmen.