Soldier who disappeared during routine parachute training exercise found dead in woods 10 hours later

  • The unidentified Army soldier somehow disappeared during a standard training exercise
  • He was later found dead in the woods
  • Authorities have not released details of what happened 

By Associated Press and Kiri Blakeley For Dailymail.com

Published: 09:33 EST, 12 September 2015 | Updated: 18:26 EST, 12 September 2015

The Army says a soldier who vanished during a parachute training exercise in Shelton, Washington state has been found dead after a 10-hour search.

The soldier's body was found around 10pm Friday in a heavily wooded area of Mason County, said Maj. Timothy C. Chavis, a 1st Special Forces Group spokesman.

The Army is not releasing his name until his family has been notified. 

An unidentified soldier has been found dead after a parachuting exercise in Shelton, Washington (above)

An unidentified soldier has been found dead after a parachuting exercise in Shelton, Washington (above)

First responders spent all day Friday combing the area for the missing soldier (above)

First responders spent all day Friday combing the area for the missing soldier (above)

Chavis says the soldier was part of the special forces unit based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord who jumped from a plane at noon with other service members.

Chavis says he believes the training was a common exercise but that he can't release other information until the end of an investigation.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the soldier involved in this tragic incident,' said Col. Otto K. Liller, commander of the 1st Special Forces Group, according to King 5. 'We will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident, and we will do everything in our power to support the family of the brave soldier who died today.' 

Rescuers picked through a six-mile radius woodsy area in Mason County looking for the man 

Rescuers picked through a six-mile radius woodsy area in Mason County looking for the man 

Authorities have not said how he died, but believe he was on a standard training exercise in Mason County (pictured)

Authorities have not said how he died, but believe he was on a standard training exercise in Mason County (pictured)

One hundred and ten emergency responders spent all scouring a six mile radius on Friday searching for the missing paratrooper.

Soldiers looked in neighbors' backyards for the missing man. When night fell, they used infrared and night goggles.

Authorities have begun investigating the military man's death.  

The military used helicopters (above), Jeeps, and dogs to search for the missing soldier 

The military used helicopters (above), Jeeps, and dogs to search for the missing soldier 

A neighbor said the military was out scouring the area all day Friday

A neighbor said the military was out scouring the area all day Friday

 

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