U.S. Military Academy Cadet From South Bay Found Dead

GARDENA, CA — A U.S. Military Academy cadet from Gardena was found dead at the facility in New York State Tuesday night, authorities said.

Cadet Kade Kurita, 20, who was part of the 2021 graduating class, was found dead at 9:47 p.m. Tuesday on the grounds of the academy at West Point, the academy reported.

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

Kurita was unaccounted for since Friday at about 5:30 p.m. when he failed to report for a scheduled military skills competition, the academy reported.

The cause of death is under investigation, but foul play is not suspected, officials said.

The West Point Military Police, New York State police, Coast Guard, CSX railroad police, local police, and the 23rd Military Police Company from Fort Drum, N.Y., assisted in an extensive search.

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

According to the New York Post, the academy had said earlier that Kurita's M4 rifle also was missing, but he wasn't believed to be carrying any magazines or ammo. Officials on Wednesday did not mention what happened to the rifle.

City News Service contributed to this post