Garrett Pearson, a 30-year-old Marine captain and former Virginia Commonwealth University baseball player, died during special operations training in the waters off Key West during Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) training.
“We at Naval Air Station Key West extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Marine Corps Captain Garrett Pearson’s family, friends and fellow service members during this difficult time,” said Danette Baso-Silvers, spokesperson for Naval Air Station Key West, who referred questions to Major Johnny Henderson, Jr. of the Marine Forces Special Operations Command.
Henderson did not return emails seeking comment from the Keys Weekly as of press time, but he told Military.com on Oct. 9 that Pearson had died Oct. 3 while participating in Marine Raider training at Naval Air Station Key West. The special operations training command on Fleming Key off Key West is run by the U.S. Army, but used by all branches of the military for their own grueling special operations training.
Maj. Henderson, told Military.com that Capt. Pearson was reported missing during a scheduled swim event on Oct. 3. Training was stopped immediately and a search-and-rescue mission was launched, leading to the discovery of an unresponsive Pearson in the water, states the military.com story by Haley Fuller, who wrote, “Personnel on scene immediately initiated resuscitation efforts, and emergency medical services transported him to Lower Keys Medical Center, where advanced life-saving measures continued. Pearson was pronounced deceased at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 3 by attending medical staff.”
The Marine Forces Special Operations Command is investigating the death to determine all contributing factors, Henderson said.
“We are also coordinating with Naval Safety Command, NCIS and local civilian authorities, which include the Key West Police Department,” he said, adding, “We do not speculate on the cause of death.”
“The loss of Capt. Garrett Pearson strikes at the very heart of the command and our community,” Maj. Gen. Michael A. Brooks, commander of MARSOC, said in a statement shared with Military.com. “Capt. Pearson was one of us — a Marine who had willingly taken on the immense challenge of earning the title of Marine Raider.
“His dedication, professionalism and determination were evident to all who trained and served alongside him. His passing leaves a void that is deeply felt across our formation.”
Rachel Hughes, a family friend, launched a GoFundMe online fundraiser that as of Oct. 14 had raised more than $160,000 for Pearon’s wife, Autumn, and young daughters, Maisie, 3, and Hazel, nearly 1.
“There are simply no words that can describe this heartbreak,” Hughes wrote on the GoFundMe website.
Donate to the Pearson family at gofundme.com and search for, “Honoring Garrett Pearson, Loved Husband and Father.”
