Army

Army Black Hawk Pilot Found Dead in Honduras: Investigation Ongoing

BY Guy D. McCardle

In the span of a few haunted hours in Honduras, First Lieutenant Marciano Parisano went from a promising young Black Hawk pilot to a name etched into Army CID’s most urgent case files—and someone out there knows why.

West Point cadet turned Black Hawk pilot—1LT Marciano Parisano embodied leadership, honor, and heart, from the academy halls to the skies over Central America.

The body of 1st Lt. Marciano Angelo Parisano, a 25-year-old U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot from Cibolo, Texas, was discovered on May 3, 2025, on the banks of the Chiquito River near Comayagua, Honduras. Parisano was off-duty on a liberty pass from Soto Cano Air Base when he was last seen alive in the early hours of the same day. 

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Final Hours and Discovery

First Lieutenant Marciano Parisano’s last night alive started like many other young officers’ evening off-duty: a few friends, a bar in Comayagua, Honduras, and a brief window of freedom outside the wire. It was May 2, 2025, and Parisano, a Black Hawk pilot stationed at Soto Cano Air Base, was out on a liberty pass enjoying a night with fellow soldiers.

At some point during the night, tensions flared and a fight broke out between Parisano’s group and another crowd inside the bar. After the dust settled, Parisano ordered a taxi back to base—but he never made it.

The last time anyone saw him alive was at 3:20 a.m. on May 3, caught on grainy security camera footage outside Club Santos. Then—silence. No word. No return. Parisano was reported missing when he failed to show up back on base, and a search effort began.

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The worst fears were confirmed around 2 p.m. that same day. A Honduran fire crew had responded to a brush fire along the Chiquito River. While there, a civilian flagged them down and pointed out a body floating in the water. It was Parisano.

The scene only deepened the mystery. His remains were found roughly five miles from Soto Cano. A damaged cellphone, believed to be his, was discovered nearby. The phone had obvious signs of fire damage—burned and battered like someone had tried to erase whatever was on it. Local authorities and Army investigators have ruled out robbery as a motive. That much they’ve confirmed. They’ve also said suspects have been identified, but haven’t released names or details, likely to avoid tipping off anyone before they can close the net.

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The final known moments of 1LT Parisano’s life sketch a tragic arc: a bar fight, an attempt to return to safety, and then vanishing into the night. His death wasn’t a random act of violence—it seemed to be personal. Now, both U.S. and Honduran investigators are in the thick of it, trying to piece together what happened between that last blurry security image and the moment his body surfaced in the river. Someone out there knows the truth. The Army wants answers, and they’re offering cash to get them.

Investigation and Reward

The circumstances surrounding Parisano’s death remain under investigation. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Tips can be submitted anonymously online at www.cid.army.mil/tips, or by contacting the Army CID MacDill Resident Unit at (912) 547-4626 or via WhatsApp at (571) 656-7842.

Background and Service

Marciano (Marco) Parisano was the kind of kid every parent wants and every Army unit hopes to land. Raised in Cibolo, Texas, he was a bright student and a natural leader from day one.

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Born in Würzburg, Germany, he moved with his family to Cibolo, Texas, in 2008.  Pasrisano graduated near the top of his class at Steele High School in the Universal City school district, where he was active in JROTC and served as president of the National Honor Society.

That’s not the type of résumé you just hang on the fridge; it earned him a spot at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He showed up at the banks of the Hudson ready to work—and he delivered. Parisano graduated in May 2023 with a degree in engineering management and a reputation as a leader you could count on. During his time at the academy, he served in both Company B2 and D1, ultimately rising to become the D1 Company Commander. The man didn’t coast—he led. He was also active in student organizations, never missing a chance to take on responsibility or mentor others.

After graduating from West Point, the Army put him through intensive training and then sent him out to serve with purpose and precision. Parisano went through the rigors of flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he earned his Army Aviation wings and selected the UH-60 Black Hawk as his platform.

He was promoted to First Lieutenant on November 27, 2024—not even two years out of West Point, and already moving fast. His first assignment took him straight into the heart of U.S. operations in Central America. At Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, he flew Black Hawks with the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, part of Joint Task Force-Bravo. That’s no picnic post. It’s hot, it’s tense, and it matters. By all accounts, he did the job with precision and pride.

Along the way, Parisano earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon—standard issue for any soldier starting out. But he also walked away with the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in gold, the Air Assault Badge, and those coveted Army Aviation wings. Those don’t get handed out—they’re earned one sweat-soaked day at a time.

In April 2025, just weeks before his death, Parisano got engaged. His life was lining up—career on track, future wide open, family proud. His commanders described him as a force of nature—someone whose impact on the unit couldn’t be measured in mission logs or after-action reports.

His parents called him a bright light. That’s not fluff. That’s what you say when you lose someone who left every room better than they found it. His loss profoundly affected his family, his community, his comrades, and everyone who crossed his path. You can’t measure that kind of absence in medals or minutes. You feel it in your heart.

Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment at Soto Cano Air Base, Parisano was part of Joint Task Force-Bravo, supporting U.S. regional security cooperation efforts in Central America.

Personal Life and Legacy

Parisano was engaged to his fiancée, Alley Singley, in April 2025. In a heartfelt message, she expressed her grief: 

“There are no words to describe the immense love I have for you and the joy I felt about becoming your wife. Tragically, that opportunity was taken from you and you left too soon, far from me. Now, I have no words to describe the pain I feel knowing that you are gone and that I’m saying goodbye to you. But my love will never change. I will love you forever and always remember you.”

His parents, Tom and Jessie Parisano, shared their sorrow and commitment to seeking justice: “We are committed to seeking justice for Marco. We trust the authorities will do everything in their power to ensure that accountability prevails. No family should have to endure this kind of loss, and we hope that Marco’s story will serve as a reminder that God’s timing is unknown, and we must always be prepared. No words can truly capture the depth of our grief, nor the pain of waking up each day without him. Marco was more than just our child — he was a bright light in our lives, a source of joy, kindness, and unwavering love. His presence was a gift, touching the hearts of everyone who crossed his path.”

Col. Daniel Alder, commander of Joint Task Force Bravo, honored Parisano’s service:

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts; we acknowledge the passing of Lieutenant Marciano Parisano. He served our unit and mission here at Soto Cano Air Base with dignity, pride and courage. As a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot with the 228 Aviation Regiment, his contribution to our team is immeasurable. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him and serve with him. The command team extends our deepest condolences to 1st Lt. Marciano Parisano’s family, friends and loved ones. We stand with you in this time of grief. One soldier lost is one too many.”

Call for Information

Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the circumstances of 1st Lt. Parisano’s death to come forward. The Army’s CID emphasizes the importance of community assistance in bringing those responsible to justice.

Tips can be submitted anonymously online at www.cid.army.mil/tips, or by contacting the Army CID MacDill Resident Unit at (912) 547-4626 or via WhatsApp at (571) 656-7842.

** Many thanks to armytimes.com as a source of information used to write this piece. 

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