Fort Jackson gives update on missing soldier found

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)— Fort Jackson gave an update on the soldier who was reported missing on Monday, June 12th during a land navigation training.

In a press conference, Fort Jackson Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly says 40-year-old Staff Sgt. Jaime Contreras was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead late Monday night. 

Contreras was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty and was on Fort Jackson for 10 weeks of training at the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, according to Fort Jackson officials.

Fort Jackson officials also say Contreras was apart of the 98 candidates participating in the training but were they were executing it individually.  The training began at 10 a.m. and everyone was due back at 1 p.m. and when Contreras didn’t return a search began at 2 p.m.

“We’re all deeply saddened by this loss. We are providing support to his family and his teammates,” says Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Kelly.

Fort Jackson Commander Brigadier General Kelly says the land navigation site covers about 15 hundred acres, aircraft and ground assets were used to search and they were later able to ping Contreras cell phone. He was found at 11:20 p.m., according to officials. 

“He was found not too far off the land nav. course probably approximately 50 meters. However that is very unforgiving terrain,” says Fort Jackson Incident Commander Major John Ferrell. 

The cause of death is under investigation and it is not known if there was foul play. During the press conference, Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Kelly was asked if Contreras had any mental illnesses.

“To my knowledge no but this is under investigation and that will come to light in that process if indeed true,” says Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Kelly. He was also asked if there will be any changes to protocols after this incident. “We do not know the cause of his deviation, if any, on the course or cause of death. What I will tell you is the partnerships and the protocols we have in place were flawlessly executed and as illustrated by the team behind me. As we always do in the United States Army we will conduct an after action review and garner any lessons and certainly employ them in the future.”

Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Kelly says plans are underway for memorial services.  

The U.S.Criminal Investigation Division is investigating. Stay with ABC Columbia New for updates.