Remains of U.S. Army soldier returning home to Central Florida
Updated: 10:49 AM EDT Jun 3, 2026
The remains of the U.S. Army soldier who died during military exercises in Morocco will return home to Central Florida on Wednesday. The soldier was identified as 19-year-old Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington of Tavares. Collington and another soldier, 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., were participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco before they both disappeared. The two soldiers fell off a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike in Morocco. She 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, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, according to AP. Collington began active-duty service in 2024. Before enlisting in the Army, Collington graduated from Evans High School in 2024.She was a two-year varsity cheerleader and participated in the school’s nursing program.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The remains of the U.S. Army soldier who died during military exercises in Morocco will return home to Central Florida on Wednesday.
The soldier was identified as 19-year-old Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington of Tavares.
Collington and another soldier, 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., were participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco before they both disappeared.
The two soldiers fell off a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike in Morocco.
She 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, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, according to AP.
Collington began active-duty service in 2024.
Before enlisting in the Army, Collington graduated from Evans High School in 2024.
She was a two-year varsity cheerleader and participated in the school’s nursing program.