Military

Autopsy: Navy SEAL trainee drowning death a homicide

BY SOFREP News Team

Several witnesses said Lovelace’s face turned purple and his lips were blue. Lovelace’s head went under water several times. Each time he was pulled up by the instructor.

A 21-year-old Navy SEAL trainee who drowned during basic training at Naval Base Coronado was the victim of a homicide, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday.
James Derek Lovelace died May 6 in a pool exercise during his first week of basic training. He was pulled out of a pool after showing signs he was having difficulty while treading water in a camouflage uniform and a dive mask. Lovelace was taken to Sharp Coronado Hospital, where he was pronounced dead that afternoon.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office report found that “the actions, and inactions of the instructors and other individuals involved were excessive and directly contributed to the death, and the manner of death is best classified as a homicide.”
The report determined that on the morning of May 6, Lovelace was taking part in an exercise called “Combat Swimmer Orientation.” According to the report, surveillance video showed an instructor, who was not named, observing Lovelace struggling during the exercise. The instructor dunked Lovelace’s head under water and the followed him around the pool for about five minutes.
Read More:  ABC
Featured Image – James Derek Lovelace, Department of the Navy

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