Marine Corps opens investigation after 21-year-old recruit dies during physical fitness test
The US Marine Corps has launched an investigation after a 21-year-old recruit died during a physical fitness test.
Noah Evans had been training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, South Carolina, when he died during a boot camp exercise, according to Major Philip Kulczewski, a spokesman for the depot.
In a statement, Kulczewski added that the cause of death is under investigation.
The 21-year-old recruit from Decateur, Georgia, had been assigned to Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment.
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He died while taking part in a ‘physical fitness’ test earlier this week, becoming the fourth Marine recruit to die at the base in two years.
In a Facebook post, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island said: On Tuesday, April 18th, Private First Class Noah Evans passed away while conducting a physical fitness test aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Noah’s family and to the Marines and staff of Mike Company.
“The cause of death is currently under investigation.”
According to the Hilton head Island Packet, a total of 10 deaths have occurred at the base since 2000.
Private First Class Dalton Beals, from New Jersey, died in 2021 while completing the final challenge of his military training – a 54-hour task dubbed ‘The Crucible’.
His senior drill instructor, Staff Sgt. Steven T. Smiley, was later charged with negligent homicide, following allegations that he pushed recruits too far in dangerous heat.
In September of the same year, 21-year-old Anthony Munoz died on his first day of training, while 26-year-old Brandon Barnish was found dead at the training depot.
The news of Evans’ death also comes less than two months after another US Marine called Christopher Hutchings was found dead in his California Barracks.
Hutchings was found inside his Camp Pendleton barracks on 5 February, with reports saying his death was considered suspicious.
Last month – four weeks after his death – Hutchings’ family told CBS’ 11 News that they felt frustrated at the lack of information from the military investigators handling his case.
“Chris was a very happy young man with where he was and where he was heading,” his dad Spencer Hutchings said.
He added: “This has been one of the biggest challenges our family has ever had to face. It’s a tragedy I cannot put into words."
At the time, a spokesperson for NCIS confirmed there had not been any arrests related to the Hutchings case, saying it remained an active investigation.
Jess Hardiman