West Point Cadet, Kade Kurita, Missing For 4 Days, Found Dead on Campus

Missing West Point Cadet found

Kade Kurita, a cadet at West Point who went missing for four days was found dead Tuesday evening on the campus, school officials announced.

"We are grieving this loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to Cadet Kurita's family and friends" said Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, 60th superintendent, U.S. Military Academy.

Kurita, 20, of Gardena, California, was reported missing on Saturday after failing to show up for a military skills competition. Authorities used drones, K9 units, a helicopter and around 130 soldiers to search the more than 6,000 acres around West Point. Officials also enlisted help from the Coast Guard to search up and down the Hudson River. At the time Kurita went missing, officials also said an M4 rifle had also gone missing, but they did not believe the cadet had access to any magazines or ammunition and that he was not a danger to the public.

"I would like to thank the N.Y. State police and the 23rd MP Company along with partners," said Williams. "They exhibited exceptional professionalism as demonstrated by their tremendous efforts in searching for Cadet Kurita."

West Point officials announced Tuesday they were refocusing their search to the campus after noticing a lack of activity on Kurita's cellphone and financials.

Officials did not indicate a cause of death for Kurita, nor did they say what may have happened to the missing M4 rifle.

Photo: West Point


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