18-year-old soldier reported dead at Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson has announced a basic training soldier died late Friday night.

The 18 year-old basic combat training soldier, whose name wasn’t immediately released, was “found unresponsive in her barracks area,” according to a statement released by leadership at the base.

Emergency personnel transported her to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead at 11 p.m., according to the statement.

The death was “unrelated to COVID-19 or an active field training exercise,” said LA Sully, a media relations officer at Fort Jackson. “An investigation into the cause of the death is underway.”

“A loss of a teammate is never easy,” said Fort Jackson Commander Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly. “We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and loved ones. We are providing comfort and assistance to everyone who knew her.”

The soldier was from the 2^nd Battalion, 13^th Infantry Regiment.

Fort Jackson announced that they were conducting a 48 hour training stand down following the death. Fort Jackson is the largest Army basic training facility in the country.

In August, National Guard Soldier Alyssa Cahoon died at Fort Jackson. Originally from New Jersey, Cahoon and her twin sister were undergoing training at the South Carolina base.

This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates.

This story was originally published October 8, 2022 at 12:30 PM with the headline "18-year-old soldier reported dead at Fort Jackson."

Ted Clifford

The State

803-771-8315

Ted Clifford is the statewide accountability reporter at The State Newspaper. Formerly the crime and courts reporter, he has covered the Murdaugh saga, state and federal court, as well as criminal justice and public safety in the Midlands and across South Carolina. He is the recipient of the 2023 award for best beat reporting by the South Carolina Press Association.