The Problem on Parris Island: US marine becomes 10th recruit to die at SC boot camp, here are the other 9
PORT ROYAL, SOUTH CAROLINA: A marine inmate at a South Carolina military base tragically died on April 18 during a physical fitness test held for boot camp training. Private First Class Noah Evans, 21, died while aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The 8,095-acre military base has witnessed as many as 10 deaths, including Evans', since 2000. His death is also the fourth recruit death at the base in the past two years.
Evans' cause of death is now under investigation, according to the United States Marine Corps officials. It is unclear what activities he had taken part in before he died, or whether he suffered from any medical conditions. Evans was from Decatur, Georgia, and was assigned to the Mike Company, a third recruit training battalion.
READ MORE
Who was Dalton Beals? NJ Marine recruit, 19, dies after 54-hour training without food or sleep
How did Andrew J Arista die? US marine, 20, found dead while on duty at Washington barracks
'You will be forever in our hearts'
In a Facebook post, a relative of Evans said his "smile was infectious." "I still want to believe that this is a dream. I’ve been looking at all the post and saying it just can’t be so. "Noah, my little cousin and God son ! You’re personality could set a room on fire. Your Evans man smile was infectious. You will be forever in our hearts and missed until we meet again…. God please be with my cousins George and Carmen Mapp Evans," Donna Bradley wrote.
"Please continue to Pray for the Evans family as they prepare to lay their son Noah Evans to rest. Noah touched and was loved by so many ppl. The Love, Respect and Honor that the military groups are giving Noah is truly Amazing. Carmen Mapp Evans and George you both should be very proud of Noah," another acquaintance, Dawn Evans, wrote.
Previous recruit deaths on Parris Island
Evans' death comes two years after the death of Private First Class Dalton Beals, 19, of Pennsville, New Jersey. He died of hyperthermia in June 2021, several reports claimed. Beals was part of the Echo Company, Platoon 2040, at Parris Island. He was reportedly completing the final challenge for recruits, known as The Crucible, a grueling 54-hour exercise, at the time of his death. The day he died, the temperature on the base was in the 90s.
In September 2021, Pvt. Anthony Muñoz, 21, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, died after falling from a balcony. MCRD Parris Island officials said at the time that his death appeared to be a suicide.
Another death in September 2021 was that of 26-year-old Brandon Barnish, of Evans, Georgia. He was found dead at the training depot. He died several months after graduating from recruit training. At the time of his death, he was recovering from an injury before starting the next phase of training, according to Task And Purpose.
Eighteen-year-old Bret Moran died in his sleep while completing The Crucible back in November 2004, a month after contracting pneumonia. According to a Marine Corps autopsy, he died of natural causes, including a weakened heart muscle.
Jason Tharp, 19, died in February 2005 after struggling to pass a combat water survival test in a pool, according to Hilton Head Island Packet. His staff sergeant was acquitted of negligent homicide later that year.
Adam Aube of Brunswick, Maine, died in September 2006, after participating in an initial strength exam that was held to test the basic physical readiness of recruits for training. He died on the way to the hospital.
In February 2011, recruit Keerica Allen, 19, of Atlanta, died at Charleston’s Medical University of South Carolina due to complications from what is believed was a case of meningitis.
Raheel Siddiqui of Taylor, Michigan, fell to his death in March 2016 while running away from an instructor at the depot. The 18-year-old died a week after arriving. Five days before his death, he had told instructors that he was struggling with suicidal thoughts. Siddiqui’s drill instructor then-Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Felix was later convicted of hazing him and other Muslim recruits. In 2017, Felix was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 10 years behind bars. Lt Col Joshua Kissoon, Felix’s commanding officer, pleaded guilty to several charges later, including dereliction of duty.
In November 2016, 18-year-old Zachary R. Boland, 18, of Madison, Alabama, died due to complications from pneumonia. He is said to have concealed his condition from drill instructors in an attempt to not be dropped from the training. He was found unconscious in his bed and was pronounced dead at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.